Hey all! The Masquerade is tonight and thus Dark Link is going to make some kind of appearance in that interval. He has yet to get a human form but rest assured he will get one. Until then he's going to have a mess of shadow powers. It's going to seem kind of OCish because he didn't have enough airtime in OoT to display other powers. Any way and he's going to seem kind of like a silent type bad-ass in the beginning…sooooo here we go with Paper Faces.
--
Days had passed. Tonight was the Masque.
Just because he was supposed to be a mindless bloodthirsty killer didn't necessarily mean he had to act like one all the time.
He was tired of waiting. After a straight week of staying in cast mode on the walls and remaining in the haven of his fellow brethren, he got to know a lot about the Castle. Some things he learned were extremely valuable. For instance he learned about the Princess. His master had been right about her. She was far too powerful to capture. He unwillingly admitted that she'd be able to take him out in no time flat. Although, he did like watching her. He liked the way she moved. It wasn't all that dainty. She moved with some kind of lethal grace which indeed was very unprincess-like
And then there were some trysts he had witnessed between the castle guards and serving maids that he was indifferent to. He would simply just leave them to their business. Watching these Hylians wasn't a vital part of his mission so he refused to indulge in the perverse fascination of them.
Other than that, the only thing that seemed to spark a bit of interest in him was the exchange between his cursed counterpart and the pale girl with red hair.
He hurt her. Just because he was completely devoid of any emotion didn't mean he didn't know of them. He knew what smiles and tears were but it was not in his comprehension why they happened. How can someone hurt someone else without even touching them? He didn't understand why but he knew it happened.
In him, there was always this warm indifference that satisfied him. He didn't question it because he had no way of doing so.
His ears pricked up. Someone was coming in the distance. He retracted himself from the wall and slipped into the dark corner. About ten minutes had elapsed before he saw a figure at the end of the corridor.
When the figure came closer, the Shadow saw himself. The one called Link
The need to kill began to rise within him. Not out of anger. Not out of vengeance. It was a sense of duty. It was what he did. He was a killer. However, he held it back. Instead he shrank back into the shadows and watched.
Unfortunately, the little insect didn't become the Hero of Time by being oblivious. As he was passing, he froze in place.
The shadow shaded his eyes making certain they didn't shine back at him. Link's eyes quickly darted toward the corner.
For a moment, they stared right at each other. But Link didn't know that. All he saw was a dark corner.
Without taking his eyes away, Link went to the door at the end and entered, closing it behind him.
The Shadow concentrated and "puddled" himself. He slipped in the crack between the floor and the door. The late afternoon sun shone in the window. The Shadow made his way to the darkest corner he could find without being seen.
Link had removed his wine red cloak and let it spill over the chair. The room was ordinary enough. There was a looking glass in the other corner. A small, round table stood in the center. But what was eye- catching was what looked like a table fountain. It glowed with this ethereal white light and reflected off the blue-white stone of the basin.
Link hovered over it, "Navi? Navi wake up!"
The source of the light suddenly sprang to life from the depths of the fountain water. It was an orb of white with a pair of delicate, opalescent wings peeking out of it. It swirled dizzily around Link's head making a soft bell- like sound as it moved. A fairy?
"Hey! Link! What are you doing? I was trying to take in a nap," said a tiny, mellifluous voice. "Wow! You look wonderful!"
"Thank you," he replied shortly. "I need your help, Navi."
"For what?" the fairy asked impatiently.
Link took in a small breath. "It's about Zelda."
"What? Link, you're a big boy. You can handle this one yourself."
Link raised a brow as the meaning of the fairy's words dawned on him and furiously shook his head. "No! Not THAT! It's something else."
"What is it?" the fairy dead panned. "You know how important it is for a fairy to recharge power. It could mean death if she doesn't. "
"Yes I'm sorry," Link apologized. "But I needed to talk to you. I think I'm starting to question…my feelings…"
The fairy bounced up and down making those shrill sounds again. "You're getting the jitters already! It's only the engagement celebration."
"I know that," Link said briskly. "But I keep thinking about Malon and what she said…" He pressed his hand against his throbbing head; the frill of his sleeve covered half of his face.
"You feel guilty?"
"Yes," Link replied slowly. "I regret having that conversation more and more each day. I DID sound like an ass. I wanted to tell her the truth but instead it sounded more like a lie."
Navi fluttered close to Link's shoulder. "Do you love her?"
Link looked down for a moment before he began to nod.
"I do," he said quietly as though he was shamed to say it. "But I know deep down we're not meant to be. I wish things could be different. I don't want to lose her though…as my friend."
Navi was silent a moment. She moved away and hung suspended in the air. "Will you see her tonight?" she finally asked.
"I don't know," Link said unhappily. "I really messed up."
"You never know," Navi said hopefully. "Maybe you can talk to her again?"
Link gave a half smile. "I don't know if that would work. Again."
"Tis true," she agreed. "But at least you tried right?" Though it was difficult to see, the fairy gave an encouraging smile.
Link looked at her, his blue eyes sparkling with the fairy's light. "Yes. I guess…"
"You'll be fine," Navi said. "Now go get yourself back down there. It's almost time."
Link looked at her. "Are you coming?"
"I'll be around," Navi told him calmly. "I have to rest up."
Link allowed her back into the waters of her fountain. He walked toward the door, looking back with a saddened expression and then he disappeared behind it.
The Shadow whom had seen and heard it all processed this new information.
Malon…
So there was another person…the pale redhead in the courtyard. This just confirmed his suspicions.
The Shadow puddled once more and made it out the door. He sped across the floor, casting himself into the wall if he sensed even the slightest amount of danger. He traveled up another flight of stairs.
This confused him. He didn't remember ever going up that flight before…
But he continued up…up…up. He was going so fast, he didn't even realize that he squeezed between the crevices of the door at the top.
He suddenly froze once inside.
Inside was an entrance to somewhere. It was a massive arched doorway. Within it, dark velvet drapes hung gracelessly to the floor. The Shadow reformed himself as his ears began to pick up a calling. There was someone calling out to him.
The Shadow tossed a look behind. Then he proceeded to pour himself onto the ground to enter from under the curtains
--
"What's taking so long?" Talon asked as he paced in the kitchen that night. He was dressed properly for a change. He wore his best suit of forest green and his hair had been slicked back neatly as was Ingo's who wore purple.
Ingo sighed patiently. "Give her some time Tal. She's probably putting the finishing touches on."
Talon stopped his pacing. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Maybe she's upstairs hating me right now."
"She doesn't hate you Talon," Ingo said for the fifth time. "She was just fine before. I think I even saw her smile for the first time this week."
"Oh what's there to smile about," Talon said as he resumed his pacing. "If I were her, I wouldn't go! I'd show him what it was like to not have me around anymore!"
Ingo couldn't stop himself from chuckling. "Talon! You sound more upset over this than Malon is."
"I'm her father," Talon said angrily. "I'm supposed to be more upset over this than she is."
Ingo's mouth twitched. "You know that's one of the most intelligent things you've said in the past ten years."
Talon nodded and then it dawned on him. "What?"
They were silenced by the door creaking open upstairs. Both men seemed terrified. And over what they weren't sure.
Malon appeared at the top of the stairs…
Both their mouths dropped open.
Was that really Malon?
At the top of the stairs, it wasn't a pretty farm girl. It was a goddess.
Twinkling moon blue silk hung on Malon's frame perfectly. The skirt was full and flowing making her seem taller. Her neckline was low enough to be daring but not showy at all. The transformation of her hair was amazing. It had gone from rusty and worn to looking like liquid flame. Some of her strands were held back by a tie. But the most amazing thing was her face. Her round eyes had shaped into does by a respectable amount of kohl. On her lips and eyes were stained with shimmer. In her hand, she held her mask. It was made of blue and white feathers and a long silver horn was adorned in the center.
"Malon?" Ingo asked agape. "Is that you lil critter?"
Talon couldn't stop his staring. He'd never seen someone more beautiful than she was before tonight. By Din, she looked so much like her mother.
With practiced grace, Malon made her way down the stairs. Her ease was like as though she were walking on air, shrouded by the spell of the moon.
She grinned uncertainly at her father. "Well? Say something, Papa. What do you think?"
Talon's mouth opened and closed trying to say something but nothing would come out.
"You can take that as your compliment, darlin'," Ingo whispered to her. She laughed.
"Let's get ourselves a'goin," he said heartily, clapping a stunned Talon on the shoulder. "I don't wanna miss first crack at the buffet." He held out his arm to Malon. "May I escort the lovely lady?"
Malon gave a lady like curtsy and took his arm. "Indeed you may."
The both of them headed out the door leaving Talon behind them. His eyes were welling up and he puffed himself up with pride.
"She's beautiful," he declared to himself and went quickly to catch up.
--
The Palace celebration was at full swing. Men and women, boys and girls, young and old, were all present in a plethora of colors and masks. The ballroom was decorated for the Solissay season. A towering fir sat in the middle of it all, enchanted with starlight. The Goddess colors decorated the tree with red, blue, green and gold. The floor was glazed over with gilt, reflecting the light coming from the white and red bayberry beeswax candles stuck into the candelabras. Long tables on either side were dressed in the finest white where some sat. The band played merry music as the masked guests danced.
There were so many masks. Deku and deities, Zoras and Gorons, Keatons and animals. Some of the masks were beautiful. Some were funny looking. Some were plain. Some were overly garish.
Link stood in the grand hallway that would take him and his betrothed to his celebration. He toyed with his black domino. He knew it was kind of plain, all things considered, but the real mask he had to wear was going to have to be far more extravagant: to mask his guilt from…
"Link?"
Link nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard that sweet, soft spoken voice say his name behind him.
He turned around. He drank in the sight of his beloved.
She was dressed in a light, flowing white silk gown. Her delicate arms were sleeved in diaphanous white cloth. On her back was the shimmering replica of faerie wings. Her long blonde hair withheld diamond starbursts threaded in the strands. Her face was decorated with iridescent sparkles to mimic the divine glow of the fairy.
"What do you think?" she asked with a bright smile. "I figured Navi would be pleased if I came as her."
All of Link's thoughts shattered at the sight of her and he was unable to speak.
"Link, say something will you?" Zelda laughed. "You're making me nervous with your silence."
Link shook his head to clear the dust that had settled in his mind. "I'm sorry. You just-"
He was unable to finish.
"Just what?"
Link looked into those intelligent, caring blue eyes of hers and couldn't lie. "You look like you should take your place among the stars." With that, he gave her a butterfly light kiss on her warm lips.
Her eyes fluttered open and rewarded him with that smile that would one day be the end of him. "Thank you, Master Hero," she mocked sweetly. "I say the same about you. Come and be ready. We're going to be announced."
Link got to his place, linking his arm through hers. In the moments they waited, he silently brooded over for once this week not about his Malon situation but about his engagement in general. The spectacular masquerade, the cosmos, all of a sudden, succumbing to his will. The Hero of Time and the Princess of Destiny were finally uniting.
Yes, Fate was finally bringing everything together, But why did he feel like one of those things that didn't belong. He was just a simple Hylian, Kokiri, whoever he was. He had no royal bloodline, he wasn't a great general and, yes, even in his quests, he'd admit his courage had faltered every once and awhile. What did he have that some great man born into heroism didn't? Why wasn't that great man the one with Zelda now and he was? He wasn't used to anything as grand as this.
But then another stronger thought hit him. Why NOT him? Why was it so hard to believe that he would have this wonderful life with this beautiful creature on his arm? Inside he swelled with happiness. She was the gold at the end of the rainbow. Not many thought she really existed, but he who believed and dared to take that chance had found her.
The music silenced. Link put a hand on Zelda's arm.
He was beaming from ear to ear when the loud voice boomed in the glowing dome of the ballroom cried,
"FRIENDS! HONORED GUESTS! ON BEHALF OF THE KING HIMSELF I BRING TO YOU THE PRINCESS ZELDA AND HER BETROTHED, THE HERO OF TIME!"
Link and Zelda came to the top of the landing where the guests had come together and cheered. They descended down the stairs. Both of them looked untouchable. A divine regality surrounded the couple that made their admirers happy to take part in such a moment of history.
Once they got to the floor, the band began to play. Many of the couples had followed suit and soon the room was full of dancing again.
--
Malon stepped out of the coach, her mask fixed carefully over her eyes. The young coachman who had helped her out was definitely looking at her in a way that she had never thought she'd be looked at ever.
Her heart thrummed happily in her chest as she was careful to keep her back straight, shoulders back, and head up proud.
The door ward took a look at her, her father and Ingo and gave a polite smile. "Welcome to Hyrule Castle. I trust you are Malon, Talon and Ingo?"
"Yessir," Talon replied. Malon noticed he too was trying to stand tall and mannered.
"Welcome," the door steward said, pushing the doors open, "to the Moonlight Masquerade."
Inside, Malon first noticed the warm golden aura of the ballroom, then bedazzled by the beauty of the decoration, of the people, even the orchestra.
As she traipsed inside, a lot of attention was turned on her. A lot of male attention.
They stared glaze eyed as she passed each one with an indifferent air though she was beaming as bright as the sun inside.
Talon noticed the attention his daughter was being paid. He whispered through his teeth at Ingo, "Should I be worried?"
Ingo looked at him and let out a chuckle, "It was gonna happen sooner or later paly boy."
Link saw the doors open just behind Zelda's head. More guests, he thought.
A lot of the men were looking in the direction of the door. Link raised his brows. It must be some gaggle of beautiful women.
But when they parted, he saw it was only one.
A vision in blue.
Her eyes twinkled mysteriously in the eyeholes of her unicorn mask.
The long vibrant red mane flounced behind her lively. Her face was flawless. And…familiar?
His eyes were suddenly wide with shock. That gorgeous woman in the blue was Malon!
"Link?" Zelda asked alarmed as she stopped in her steps. "What's wrong?"
Link looked at her as if he'd never seen her before. Then back over at Malon. Both the women in his life clashed even more now than they had before. Zelda, his beautiful imperishable Zelda, freeze-framed in all eternity, preserving an immortal beauty that would most likely out last him.
And Malon. A temple of desire that he'd never noticed before. Farore, he couldn't stop his eyes from tearing away her dress and imagining threading his fingers in her hair. Vivacious and live like a flame. Memories consumed him, tearing open his old wounds, unable to stem this new fresh pain.
"Zelda," he said, his breath all of a sudden choking him. Without holding himself back, he kissed her to replenish his swirling mind. It was a temporary cure for his indecisiveness. As always, she received him, opening her mouth in welcome as he slowly let his tongue in, knowing how crucial it was to be pleasing to her.
Malon watched the scene with sad eyes. Had he seen her? Was he trying to show her that he had made his choice? He could be that malicious?
"May I have this dance?"
Malon turned to look beside her. A handsome Hylian with blonde hair and sweet brown pupils was extending his hand out to her.
She looked away a moment to look back at Link. He had broken the kiss and was looking at his princess with a look of adoration that made Malon say, "I'd be more than happy to."
And so she danced. No sooner did someone else come by for a dance with her. Five or six dances later, Malon decided it was time for a drink. She came to the section of the dining table where she asked the serving maid for nettle wine. She waited patiently as it was poured.
"I always thought you liked Buttery Apples."
Malon heard the voice and cringed. She turned to face the source of all her pain in one neat package.
"Things change, Mr. Hero," she said, the frost in her voice unmistakable. "Most of the time for the better."
Link took the blow with eyes closed. "I guess I deserved that," he said sheepishly.
"What do you want?" she asked. Her voice was tired as though he was getting in the way of something.
He tried to bear the burn gracefully as he continued, "I wanted to apologize for the way things went a few days ago. I was…so incredibly stupid to sound like that. I didn't mean to sound like I- I was trying to sugarcoat anything. I was telling you the truth."
Malon scoffed, "Oh really? Was it fate that told you to come up to me to apologize or was it you?"
Link grit his teeth. "It was me. And I would appreciate it if you didn't throw that in my face."
"What do you think you did?" Malon blurted out. "All I kept hearing from you even before all this was about fate. Fate and destiny, Destiny and fate. Gods, it was every other word coming out of your mouth."
"Your wine, miss."
Link and Malon looked at the serving maid who had set the glass by her elbow. Malon grabbed it up and took a violent sip.
"I hate to say this Malon," Link snapped quietly. "But it was my duty. I had a role to play. I didn't choose to become a hero! It chose me. If it were up to me, I'd probably still be some nameless overgrown Kokiri who paraded around in those fucking tights! I was called upon by this other entity. Everyone who was ever my friend turned out to be involved somehow. Even you. I couldn't get around this even if I decided to take the matter into my own hands. That's why I know that there is a destiny. I'm sorry if I couldn't be part of yours or that you couldn't be part of mine in the way you wanted me to be. Please forgive me Malon. I still want you to be my friend."
It was killing him to say this.
I
hear... a voice say "Don't be so blind"...
it's telling
me all these things...
that you would probably hide...
Malon's shrouded eyes were welling up again though she wouldn't let them fall. She backed away from him. Her body guarded. "That's it…after all this you want to be friends?"
Am
I... your one and only desire...
am I the reason you breathe...
or
am I the reason you cry...
"Malon?" Link whispered her name.
Malon's eyes swept down. "We can never be the same again. We won't be able to go on this way. I realize you were telling the truth now. But there isn't any chance that we can even look at each other the same way again. I don't hate you Link. But I can't be around you anymore. It won't be healthy for you or me or even Zelda."
I
feel... like you don't want me around...
I guess I'll pack all my
things...
I guess I'll see you around...
It's all... been
bottled up until now...
as I walk out your door...
all I can
hear is the sound...
"Malon don't do this please," Link protested, feeling that once again history was repeating itself.
"I'm doing what's best," Malon declared. "I'm not going to get in the way. I'll always know that you could have been mine. I'll always miss you, resent her and I can't live with that."
She touched his hand. "I pray for you the best. I have to go."
Without another word, Malon turned away from him.
"Malon?" She didn't hear him as she hurried away, disregarding the strange stares she received as she hastened passed them. Link tried to follow her but he lost her in the crowd.
He didn't see her run through the doors that led into the Castle's main chambers.
I
love you...
I hate you...
I can't get around you...
I
breathe you...
I taste you...
I can't live without you...
I
just can't take anymore...
this life of solitude...
I guess
that I'm out the door...
and now I'm done with you...
Malon wasn't sure where her panicked flight had taken her. All she knew was that she had gone up a few staircases. She knew she wasn't supposed to be here but she could care less right now.
While she tried to pull it together, she didn't see the dark figure behind her…reach its hand out…Eyes aglow with bloodlust…
…and brush her hair ever so lightly to stir the strands in a breeze.
Malon spun around but nobody was there.
There was a click. It sounded like a door unlocking. Then there was a creaking.
Malon slowly turned her head to see the heavy door open like a gaping mouth. She removed the mask to get a better look. It was too dark.
She moved forward. Her better judgment told her to get out of there.
But she didn't listen.
Opening the door wider, Malon let the light filter in to get a better look inside.
Her ears twitched. Was that music?
She poked her head inside and unable to stop herself, her body went too. Looking about, there was nothing there except a massive archway. Red rich velvet drapes hung in the way…
--
The lyrics were from "Always" by Saliva. Until next time… adios!