The door of the Milk Bar swings open, turning heads at the counter. Eyes pop at the entrance of a young Hylian girl wearing slim-fitting turquoise mermaid gown that compliments her figure struts towards the bar. She feels her audience's eyes upon her and perches upon the barstool with her legs crossed.
"Good evening, Madam." the Zora bartender greets her warmly. "I haven't seen you around before. Where do you hail from?"
Ningan clears the gruffness from his throat. "The city of Anther. Just visiting a friend." she chirps. "Could I please order a coconut cocktail?"
The bartender slides her a glass bubbling to the brim with frothy milk. "It's on the house. Enjoy your stay."
The young lady graciously accepts her drink with a shy giggle. He was made for this.
In no time at all, a young gentleman with tightly-curled hair approaches the bar in work attire. Ningan pretends not to notice him, but he strikes-up conversation without hesitation.
"Hello, gorgeous." he smirks. "Fancy seeing a stunner like you in this place."
She sips the froth from the rim of her glass effeminately. "I always like to immerse myself in the local culture - see what's around."
"Is that so?" her admirer raises his eyebrow. "Are you impressed so far?"
"Very much so." the lady lays her glass on the bar and wipes the froth from her lip.
"Did you come alone? Where is your friend tonight?"
"She's with her boyfriend." Ningan rolls his eyes. "I had no choice but to explore the nightlife in solitude."
"I'm sorry to hear that." he places a hairy hand upon hers. She snatches away, triggering a look of displeasure.
No. he reminds himself. You must remain in character.
"Tell me a little about yourself." she chirps, placing her hand on his.
"Well, I'm a merchant down at the market." her suitor introduces himself. "I spend most of the day hauling my wares up and down the pavements, working up a sweat."
"What do you do outside of work?"
"I'm a member of a secret club." he spills.
Gotcha.
The young girl leans in with peaked interest. "Tell me more."
The pair chat restlessly into the late hours. Ningan pries further into his personal life and discovers his passion for sunset walks on the beach. Occasionally, he might brag about his proficiency in wrestling; alas, she struggles to draw any further information from him.
The bartender chimes the bell signalling closure. Ningan necks his last drink and hops down from the barstool, eager to escape.
"Where are you going?" the gentleman queries.
"To bed." she answers plainly. "It was nice to meet you. Same time tomorrow night?"
"Wait!" he chases her out the door into the street. "Won't you accompany me to my place for a glass of wine?"
"I've had enough, thank you." Ningan declines. That much is true: he fails to focus on the flickering flames of the streetlamps that will guide him back to his hotel.
Grotesque sausage fingers grip his tender arm. Ningan spins round with repulsion. "Get your gross hands off me!"
"Don't make a fuss." he orders with a growl. "You'll draw attention to yourself."
Ningan kicks his assailant in the groin and snatches his arm from the sleazy merchant's grasp. In his disgusted outrage, he sheds his feminine demeanour. "I'm not going anywhere with you, you foul creature!"
"Wait a second…you're a man!"
Before he can react to the revelation, Ningan beats him to the ground. He cracks his skull on the cobbles, rendering him instantly unconscious. Ningan glances up and down the street for any witnesses. Once he is certain that the coast is clear, he drags him from beneath the streetlamp into the elusive shadows.