When Zelda's alarm woke her the next morning she laid there for a few minutes, debating if she just not come in and pretend to be sick. A gnawing feeling in made her change her mind, knowing her father would be furious. After getting ready, she grabbed her bag and walked downstairs, her father looking up from his seat and calling out for her.
"Zelda, do you have time to talk"?
She hesitated, checking the time before nodding reluctantly, walking over to the kitchen counter.
"Is everything okay father?"
"Yes, it's good news actually. I spoke with a colleague of mine, he told me he's offering internships at his offices and he was willing to hire you part time. It would be good for a resume and look great on your applications."
Her smile faltered. "An office internship? Uhm, what about the research lab in Hateno? I heard they were looking for interns."
Rhoam scowled. "The research lab? Its run by those Sheikah fanatics. I heard they're desperate for research funds. Why would you ever want to go there? Its foolish, Zelda. My colleague's business is booming and the pay is better than you would get all the way in Hateno."
"But, father-"
"No, Zelda. That's final."
"Y-yes, father."
Zelda gulped, looking away as she turned towards the door. She unlocked it then pulled on the handle, brow furrowing in irritation when it wouldn't budge.
"Try the top lock, dear."
Her grip on the handle tightened, nodding her head and checking it, only confirming that it was unlocked. She gave it another hard yank, the door shuddering but not budging.
"Here," Rhoam got up slowly and walked over. "Let me try." He paused when he saw the expression on her face, cupping her cheek.
"Zelda? I didn't make you upset did I? I thought you'd be ecstatic about having a nice internship."
She hesitated before looking up at him, steeling her gaze. "I don't want to work there, father. I refuse."
"You'd rather work where, at Hateno?" His gaze became more stern then softened when he saw her slouch. "They're any day from shutting down, Zelda. Its not a good place to intern, let alone make a career there."
Zelda exhaled shakily, averting her gaze again.
Rhoam hesitated before continuing. "But if that's where you want to intern.. I can see about helping you apply."
She froze, looking up quickly and searching his face with wide eyes. "W-what? Really?"
"Yes Zelda, really." He pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm not sure it's the best decision, but if it's what you truly wish for then I won't get in the way."
Zelda returned his hug, wrapping her small arms around him and squeezing him tightly. "Thank you so much father, can we talk tomorrow? I'm going out with Urbosa tonight and probably won't be home till late. But I have tomorrow off from school."
He nodded his head. "Of course, dear."
When Zelda pulled on the handle, it immediately opened with no resistance. She closed it behind her and started walking to her car, excitement bubbling inside her.
Inside, Rhoam sighed softly and touched the door. "I lov-" The door suddenly opened, Zelda hearing it and turning around.
"Yes, father?"
He looked at the door, perplexed, before regarding his daughter.
"I, uhm, love you very much. You mean the world to me."
She smiled and wiped her eyes.
"I love you too, father!"
"He what!?" Impa practically screamed, drawing a few glares from nearby students trying to enjoy their lunch.
Zelda laughed and smiled, nodding her head excitedly. "He said I could apply at the research lab in Hateno! I mean, the place is run down, but I'll actually be doing something I want!"
Impa grabbed her hand and practically squealed.
"What made him change his mind?"
"Well.. He told me about an internship that a coworker of his was offering. I showed some, reservations, and brought up the lab. He did his usual thing, got annoyed, told me it was a bad idea and I shouldn't do it, and refused to let me say anything in edgewise." She squeezed Impa's palm when she saw her scowling face. "Its okay, so I turned the leave, but the door wouldn't open. I've lived there for years, and I know it was unlocked but I just couldn't get it open! So he came over to help me and saw how devastated I looked. I figured that was my only chance and told him I refused to work at that internship."
Impa quirked an eyebrow at her, then smiled wide.
"I see, good thing the door just happened to be busted, eh?"
Zelda scowled in return. "What's that supposed to mean?"
She shrugged in response and grinned.
"Nothin, anyway, you excited for tonight? I already got a nice outfit picked out."
Zelda picked at her food. "Of course I'm excited, I just don't know what Urbosa is thinking taking us to a bar."
"Probably thinking how nice it would be to see you get drunk as fuck! I'm going to order one of everything on the menu!"
"Just because they're going to let us in, doesn't mean we can order any liquor." Zelda pointed out, taking a bite of her meal.
"Oh." Impa deflated. "Well then I'll ask Urbosa to buy me one, she likes me right? I am your best friend after all and just an in general amazing smoking hot person."
Zelda covered her mouth as she giggled, chewing the rest of her food before speaking. "You forgot extraordinarily humble."
"That too!" She exclaimed with a snap of her fingers.
She silently watched her before placing her hand ontop of Impa's on the table, cupping her palm.
"I know I don't say this enough, but you are an amazing person. You're one of the best things that's ever happened to me and the best friend I could ever ask for. I love you very much and cherish our friendship dearly."
Impa froze, her face turning a bright scarlet red before drumming the table awkwardly with her free hand. "I, uhh, well, uh, yeah, I mean, of course, I-I'm the best!"
Zelda smiled, patting her hand. "It's okay, I know you do too."
Even after the bell rang to announce lunch was over, Impa still hadn't stopped blushing or been able to speak without stuttering, waving goodbye to Zelda after lunch to try and save some shred of dignity. It seemed to work, until she heard Zelda's echoing laughter from down the hall.
In class, Zelda was distracted. Not about her father or the party tonight, but about her, no, THE phantom. He wasn't hers, he just happened to follow her and listen to her and care about her. Her head hit the desk as she exhaled. There was no beating around the bush, she wanted to talk to him again and make things right. As much as she tried to ignore it, she had gotten used to him being there and without him, it was so out of place.
She was kinda annoyed that he hadn't shown up by now, but that was quickly replaced with guilt, knowing what she said was way worse than being left alone for a day.
Zelda glanced up up at the board, realizing the teacher was busy checking his email. Pulling her slate from her bag, she searched up the castle to and find more info about it, the first article popping up about a recent break in and property damage. She swiped past that one guiltily, eventually coming to a dead end when the web page for the castle didn't have any info past a couple hundred years, which was just more 'its abandoned and condemned'.
Her next set of searches brought her to myths and legends of Hyrule. Something about forest creatures named koroks, the infamous Blupee, fairy fountains and monsters. She frowned, wondering just how much of Hyrule's history was lost to time, and where he stood in all that. Her teacher clearing his throat had her quickly putting her slate away and mumbling an apology, getting ready to take notes again.
Once the final bell rang Zelda speed walked to her locker, shoving all the books she didn't need away. Impa showed up exactly on time, leaning on the locker next to hers.
"Heya! Don't forget, after I get changed at home I'm heading to your place, so don't leave without me. Also, I already have the driving playlist set up, you can thank me later."
"If there's a single anime opening in that list, you're walking." Zelda deadpanned, closing her locker.
Impa smirked and crossed her arms. "Just the one you like."
"Acceptable conditions, very well."
They hugged before parting ways, agreeing for a time before they left to meet Urbosa on time.
Zelda was sitting on her bed, scrolling through her slate, already finished getting ready and waiting for Impa to show up. She wore a blue and white blouse with gold trim and black leggings, kicking her feet idly. While she would never admit it out loud, she had done her make up a little nicer than usual, hoping her spirit would show up again so they could talk and make up, wanting to look as presentable as possible.
The sound of Impa's scooter coming down the street was her signal to head out. She grabbed her things and rushed outside to meet her.
Impa wolf whistled when she saw Zelda's get up compared to her own. She was wearing her cosplay outfit from the other night, minus the jacket. Her sleeveless navy blue undershirt, and beige shorts over navy blue leggings.
"Fancy outfit, I didn't realize you would dress up for little ol me!"
Zelda scowled and shoved her playfully.
"Shut up, this outfit is both comfy and fashionable. Now get in the car before I change my mind!"
The ride to the location went by fairly quickly. Impa got bored almost immediately and put on her playlist, both of them singing along loudly for most of the ride till the songs started looping.
Impa drummed her fingers along her thigh, looking out the window.
"I spy with my little eye, sand."
"It is the entire fucking desert surrounding us?"
"Bingo! You're really good at this game Zelda, you sure you ain't cheating?"
Zelda laughed and swatted at Impa, who quickly joined along with her. They found a relatively close parking spot to the location, noting the other restaurants and bars surrounding the area. Impa immediately moved next to her side, looking around cautiously.
"This ain't Central Hyrule, the Gerudo region has a lot of Yiga clan related crimes. So stay with me until we're inside." She tilted her belt loop, showing Zelda a hidden switchblade clipped to the inside and winking.
Zelda gasped, looking around then leaning in. "You're going to try and bring a knife in there? You could get kicked out or have it confiscated!"
"Its fine, they never caught this one at school." Impa smiled triumphantly. "They confiscated the other ones, but not this one, hell, sometimes I even forget I have it. But better safe than sorry."
They walked side by side until they reached the bar Urbosa told them about, Zelda reading the signs and realizing it's a female only bar. Outside, a Gerudo woman stood guard, holding out her hand to stop them.
"Halt! You two look a little young to be here, eh? I heard they sell milk at the store down the corner, go try there if you want something to drink."
Zelda hesitated, shrinking back a bit before timidly speaking up. "Uhm, we're with Urbosa."
The bouncer eyed her critically before exhaling.
"Alright, you're her problem then."
She jabbed her thumb behind her, letting Zelda pass before shoving her palm infront of Impa, leaning down and eyeing her.
"Do I remember you from somewhere? You look familiar, vai."
Impa stiffened, shaking her head and smirking at her.
"I think I'd remember someone as gorgeous as you."
The bouncer threw her head back and laughed, patting Impa's shoulder roughly.
"Lucky you, you just got selected for our new random search program."
Behind her, Zelda paled, eyes widening as she looked on nervously.
She spread her arms and legs, the bouncer running a metal detector along her body. The device chirped near at her belt that was fashioned around her waist, next to the buckle. Impa shot her a look.
"It's just the buckle, am I clear to go?"
The bouncer narrowed her eyes, then ran the tips of her fingers along the inside of the belt, brushing against the knife. They locked eyes for a moment, Impa silently pleading before the bouncer stepped back.
"Try not to cause too much trouble."
Impa quickly caught up to Zelda, shrugging at her questioning gaze.
Inside, music was blasting while women from all the different races of Hyrule, drank and danced. Sitting in a booth near the entrance was Urbosa who quickly flagged them down. Seated next to her was an inebriated Mipha, who was busy trying to drink the last of her noble pursuit, not realizing it was empty. She lit up and beamed at Zelda when she spotted her.
"Zelda!! So glad you can make it! you should try the noble pursuit, it's to die for! I'm on my second one!"
Urbosa grimaced and patted Mipha's back. "They're underaged, and that's your second and final one of the night."
Impa and Mipha both let out noises of disappointment, Mipha finally realizing there was a whole another person sitting at the table with them.
"Zelda! You didn't tell me you were in a relationship!" Mipha smiled wide, revealing sharp rows of teeth. "She's a looker, you're lucky."
Everyone else at the table quickly turned several shades of red, nearly talking over eachother to deny her allegations.
"She's not-"
"I'm not-"
"They're not-"
Mipha laughed loudly, covering her mouth, wagging a finger at each of them. "Relax, I'm just fucking with you guys. Its a party! whoo!"
Impa leaned over to Zelda, whispering over the music.
"I thought you said Mipha was the shy polite type?"
"She is! Was! She's probably drunk off her ass!"
Urbosa sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Glad you found the place okay. What can I get you? They have excellent drinks, non-alcoholic, and decent food. Its the only place I knew that was female only around the area. Plus, I need a drink after that day at work. Some of those kids are dumbasses."
Mipha nodded in agreement, looking around and flagging the bartender, trying to order noble pursuits for the table. Urbosa quickly brought her hand down to the table.
"They're too young to drink, and my little bird is driving home remember?"
Impa spoke up suddenly. "Well, in that case, Zelda is my designated driver! So it should be good for me right? Far as the bartender knows, I'm old enough to drink."
Urbosa smirked and was about to say something, but Zelda butted in. "S-she is right. I am her ride, and she was looking forward to trying some of the drinks here... She doesn't have class tomorrow, so she can spend the morning hunched over a toilet if she so chooses."
Zelda held her gaze until Urbosa relented, waving her hand for the bartender who immediately served them. Mipha lit up at the refilled drink, squealing in happiness before quickly slurping on the straw.
Urbosa held the drink out to Impa and pulled it back before she could grab it.
"Just remember, this is your hangover tomorrow, and Zelda will be taking full responsibility over you, so try not to make a big scene."
Impa smirked then nodding, grabbing it and taking a big gulp, wheezing and coughing at the strong liquor aftertaste and burning sensation.
An hour passed, Impa feeling a bit buzzed and Mipha definitely drunk. But the night was going well, they got a plate of skewers for the table and more drinks, non-alcoholic per Urbosa's request and chatted about their lives. Zelda found out Mipha was a med student, and that she had a little brother named Sidon. She also found out Mipha and Impa had the same taste in humor, both of them going back and forth with jokes so vulgar Zelda had sputtered in embarrassement for them to stop, and even Urbosa had a blush on her cheeks.
Zelda herself was having a great time, enjoying herself immensely, until a buzzed Impa brought up the next topic of conversation, making her blood run cold.
"Zelda told you about her ghost problem right? Let me tell ya, that guy has a hard on for her. Like, I've had some crushes on people, but I was never that crazy!" She giggles to herself, stopping when she saw the shock and shame on Zelda's face, and the angry confusion on Urbosa's.
Impa's speech was slightly slurred. "Uhm, did I miss something? You told her right? You said you would."
Zelda reluctantly made eye contact with Urbosa, shrinking under her glare.
"Did she now? This is my first time hearing about this."
Urbosa crossed her arms, realization dawning on Impa's face as she put a hand on Zelda's arm. "Oh fuck, I'm so sorry, I thought we agreed you would tell her!"
Zelda looked away, fingers tapping nervously at the table.
"I didn't want to worry you Urbosa, nor make you feel guilty about that night. He's harmless, he even leaves me alone when I tell him to." She winced, each explanation only making it sound worse. "He's just a lost soul, and he thinks I might be important to him or something.."
Urbosa's glared turned outright hostile.
"You're being haunted by something that's obsessed with you, and you didn't tell me because you didn't want to upset me!? Are you crazy, Zelda?!"
Zelda shrunk back, Impa putting a hand infront of her defensively.
"Urbosa, he's nice! Mostly, he broke my mirror, but I think that was my fault, I was taunting him." Zelda immediately scolded her, shooting her a glare to stop making things worse.
Mipha looked up from her food, a mouthful of salmon as she registered the new tense atmosphere. "Woah, what the hell did I miss?"
Urbosa stared her down with disapproval and anger. "Zelda has a fucking poltergeist following her everywhere and neglected to tell me. Why would you do something so reckless!?"
She crossed her arms defensively, knowing she fucked up but needing to defend herself.
"Because I spoke to him, and he's not evil! He's just lost and confused. He's barely older than me, he's not some monster!"
Impa tried putting her hands up. "Let's just all relax okay? This is getting-" Urbosa cut her off.
"You spoke to it!? Why would you ever believe a word it said! Its obviously lying to get you to trust it, and you fell hook line and sinker."
Zelda stood up abruptly, matching Urbosa's glare with her own.
"I trust him. I've treated him worse than he's ever treated me, but he didn't lose his temper or get angry with me. He's not evil." She exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "I need some air."
Without another word she stormed out.
Impa glowered at Urbosa. "What the hell was that!? I agree that it sounds crazy, but he's not an evil spirit! You didn't have to yell at her like that!"
Mipha spoke up quietly. "It was a bit harsh.. She seemed adamant."
It was Urbosa's turn to scoff, her eyes glaring down at Impa next. "And you. You're supposed to be her best friend, I gave you an emergency number to contact me if something ever went wrong, and you didn't bring it up? How would you even know if he's good or not!? Your moral compass is bent out of shape."
Mipha grabbed her arm, pulling on it. "What the fuck Urbosa! That's way too far!"
Impa gaped at her comment, tears welling in her eyes as she stood up, knocking a couple glasses over on the table. "How fucking dare you. I know Zelda considers you as her mother, and you see her like a daughter, but fuck you Urbosa! I trust him with her way more than I do with you right now. Want to know why I believe her? Because like a dumbass I snuck into her house to surprise her, and she screamed when she saw me standing over her. Want to know what he did? He nearly choked me out, but stopped the second she told him to, and apologized. He was so sorry he was on the verge of tears. Thanks for the food and drinks, kindly go fuck yourself. Mipha, it was a pleasure meeting you."
She stormed out, calling out for Zelda's name. Mipha sighed and buried her face in her palms. Urbosa stared at the empty seats across from her, her fury quickly fading.