Seven Day Vacation

Chapter 5: Day 2 Part 1

DIVING DAY

Arthur's note: Castle Town in this story will be more like a larger, medieval metropolis compared to the game with more shops and the like.

Edited on April 29th.

After Midna and Link had exhausted what was left of their food supply for breakfast; they discussed what they should do for today's activity. Since Midna did what she wanted yesterday, it was only fair that Link has a turn at the helm. It took him a few minutes to decide that they should go to Lake Hylia for a dip. Midna eagerly agreed with a smirk, but… she didn't just want to go on a leisurely swim, no-no-no, she wanted to add some… excitement to the trip. Not that she's against just swimming for fun for leisure, she just feels like they could do so much more. She's a thrill-seeker at heart, after all. But she would need some items first. She told Link that she needed to take care of something, Link of course being none-the-wiser agreed, figuring she needed some time to herself. With that, Midna vanished into Twilight specks and Link ventured into his basement to change into his Zora Armor.

Time for the preparation of her plan. She materialized on the outskirts of Castle Town, specifically right outside its bridge. The imp lowered a hand to her feet and quickly raised it to her head with a flick of her wrist at the end, her form soon became a transparent, black veil, say for the amber-red eyes. Besides Link, she is completely invisible in this form to the average mortal, she usually only stays in this form if she needs to talk to Link if there is a crowd of people around. The reason she does this is to keep a 'low profile' as she puts it, she's afraid that if she appears in the middle of the city, not only will they try to kill her because she looks like a monster, but she's more afraid they will label Link a traitor for being affiliated with a monster and try to either shun him or kill him, too. If he got killed… she would never forgive herself. She doesn't want to cause him any more pain...

With her form changed, she flew past the two soldiers guarding the gate to Castle Town and into the bustling city. The imp quickly flew up to a signpole attached to one of the buildings and latched onto it with one hand, hanging below it. The sign itself seemed to be promoting a trio of Knights for a new book series: The trio consisted of a bee with a lance, a crocodile with a mace and a chameleon wielding a katana. She straightened out her hand and moved it above her eyes as she scanned for the store she was looking for. Bar? No. Pet Shop? Negative. The Cafe? No. Book Store? No! Damn it! Where is it? She knew she saw a pool themed shop somewhere around here once… AHA! The imp smirked to herself once she found what she was looking for: Lulu Waves, one of the most popular pool themed shops in Castle Town; supposedly, the shop was named after a famed singer in a far off land, where this place was located is unknown. All that is known that wherever the singer came from, it's from a land few have ever returned from. With her target sighted. She swayed her body back, and then forth with all her might and released her grip on the pole and soared through the air. The imp's foot bounced off the tip of the Triforce statue in the center of the plaza, then she somersaulted in midair before unfurling and propelled herself off a passerby's head and used whoever's in her way as stepping stones, this caused some people to freak out a little, wondering what that presence was. Once she was in the desired street; she leaped off the final person's head and flew to the left, turning her body around and planting herself on a building opposed to the store and shot into the stone flooring and turning into a puddle of shadows.

She slid underneath the door of Lulu Waves and peeled herself off the floor. She floated above the merchandise, searching for… PERFECT! Midna grinned to herself, her feet pattering along the top of a rack holding double tubes, this is what she was looking for. And… this one will do, the twilight princess watched her surroundings, seems no one's here yet. Good. She snapped her fingers and trapped a red-black double tube in her pocket dimension, only to be replaced with a purple repee. ...What? She might be breaking and entering but she's no thief, she has standards. And why does she have repees while Link is flat broke? Easy, she has her own savings for a rainy day, just in case they really, really, REALLY need the money. Emergencies only, but given the fact she currently has 3,245 repees; she probably can splurge a little. Who would know? And hey, while she's here; why not buy a few more things? She also went to a few food stands around town and 'bought' some food for not only their lunch for today but also to stock up on supplies overall. She has to make sure Link and herself are properly fed.

Once she was done with her 'shopping spree'; Midna went back home, told Link she was done and they both set out for Lake Hylia via portal. However, Link has no idea what plot Midna has cooking in her diabolical brain.

The duo warped to Lake Hylia a few minutes later after getting everything set-up, besides spending the day here; they also needed to check on the cannon's progress. It has been a day, so they thought they could take a peek. From what they saw, its legs appeared to be operational, tools littered the ground around along with other scrap metal. Scaffolding would be lined up near the weapon along with some ladders to help reach higher places. But where's Fyer…? He's supposed to be working on it.

The duo marched over to his shack, Link stood on his hind legs and placed his paws on the windowsill. Midna floated right alongside him. Fyer appeared to be in his bed, in a deep sleep, his form rising and descending with each passing snore. The duo looked at each other, their eyelids half-shutting in unison in annoyance. "Okay… why is he still asleep?" Midna asked with a huff.

"I don't know, it's half past 10. I thought he should've woken up by now?"

"I say, let's give him a rude awakening." The imp rubbed her hands together, already devising a plot to get the lazy bastard up. How dare he sleep on the job!

Link held up a paw dismissively. "Now, now. He's probably been working night and day to get that piece of junk operational. He… probably needs his beauty rest."

"And we have a kingdom to save, doofus." She planted her fists onto her hips, bending forward as her annoyance broke through. "What if he continues to slack off? By the time he gets the cannon done…" She pointed a finger at the wolf. "Hyrule could be destroyed!"

"I understand that, but he looks exhausted." His face became sympathetic for the clown. "I think we should let him work at his own pace. He's the only one we know that can even fix the sky cannon. If he collapses from exhaustion; it won't do us any good…"

The imp was about to continue the argument: but Link did make a valid point, he is the only one who can fix that cannon. There really isn't anyone else. After seeing the logic in his statement: She sighed in a defeated manner and she hovered away from the window. "Fine, but if he doesn't finish it by the seventh day: I reserve the right to complain about it." Her arms drooped down as she hung her head low in annoyance, cursing slightly under her breath. She's just voicing reason, she just doesn't want their respective kingdoms to be destroyed all because a clown that even the circus would reject couldn't finish the cannon on time.

Link removed himself from the window and quickly ran up to Midna, grinning like a dumb-dog. "You're acting like complaining is just a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence for you."

The wolf laughed heartily, before the imp plopped onto his back and huffed loudly in annoyance, puffed out her cheeks, crossed her legs and folded her arms as she pouted on her mount. "I don't complain that much..." She grumbled.

"I mean, you kind of do…~!" He finally got into the water and doggie paddled his way to a nearby shore to set up base, ripples were made as he swam through the waves.

"No, I don't! I'm just very…" She trailed off, trying to think of the right word. She twirled her wrist a few times before saying: "...I just need to vent, okay? Is that so bad?" She justified.

Well, it isn't. Hell, he does agree with her on most things. Not all the time, but sometimes. Like when she complained about continuously finding food instead of the Bedroom key in Snowpeak ruins. Her frustration was his that day. Instead of teasing her further, he just replied with: "If you say so~!" He chortled. The imp only let out another grumpy sigh, and just continued to ride on her lovely stead with her petite feet dragging through the water.

Though, as they passed by Laynaru's cave, a wave of bad memories flooded back into her mind, remembering that horrible night… A frown surfaced on her pale lips as she quickly rubbed her arms to try and calm herself down for a few seconds. But then she remembered why she is still alive. She smiled softly and stroked Link's fuzzy head gently. Link was surprised by the gesture, figuring she was too grumpy to offer affection. But his surprise soon melted into pleasure. Her gentle, soft strokes were soothing to the wolf, her soft fingers bestowing the occasional scratches behind the ear. His eyes softened, his tongue lolled out into the water as he panted with delight.

Once they reached the shore on the other side of the lake, Midna plucked the Shadow Crystal from Link's forehead, he was engulfed in Twilight energy as his form grew and contorted back into his natural skin. The energy vaporized into particles to reveal the warrior wearing his Zora Armor, a sort of memento he got from the deceased Queen of these waters before she passed on to the afterlife. Without it, he would never have been able to travel down into the Lakebed Temple. Though, after he got the Master Sword: He sometimes forgets he has it in his stockpile of weapons and gadgets.

As the warrior prepared himself for the swim ahead, the imp meanwhile snapped her fingers as two towels (one green with yellow stripes, the other black with white stripes.) materialized side by side a few feet away from the water's edge. Link finished his stretches and strolled over to the imp. "Woah, don't remember picking these up on our journey." He asked once he was standing next to Midna, a bit puzzled as to where she got the towels from. Were they her's?

"Oh? These? These are few towels I had back in the Twilight Realm." She lied through her teeth, she really bought these from Lulu Waves earlier. But she does not want Link to find out about her stash of repees. If he did, he might ask her for hand-outs. Not that she wants to deprive him of money, but she needs to keep their finances in order.

"Oh?" He bended down and pressed a hand onto it, rubbing the fabric. He does find it a bit coincidental that each towel matched their associated colors. Her's makes sense, but to have one in his colors is definitely convenient. Oh well, probably just that, a coincidence. "Feels great." He broke a smile. "Really lush and soft."

"Well." She crossed her arms, tooting her own horn. "I only dabble in the highest of quality items." She pressed a hand to her hip and the back of her hand near her mouth, looking absolutely smug. "Anything else is just for the commoners. Eee-hee!" Her mouth opened up enough to reveal her snaggle-tooth. Oh, Zant can take her True Form away, but he can never get rid of that princess vanity, albeit it has gone down a bit in recent months.

"Oh?" His own smugness started to show, pointing a finger to himself. "So am I high-quality then?" He chuckled slightly.

"Pfft." She covered her mouth, trying not to giggle, a playful stare shot at him. "You… well…" Her eyes rolled once before she put her hands behind her. "You're one of the rare exceptions I make." She mused.

Gasp. "Midna, are you saying I'm less than high quality?" He rose up and got into a dramatic pose (eyes closed and the like), pretending to look offended. "I thought, you, of ALL people would recognize my greatness." Even his tone matched his spontaneous attitude.

Midna couldn't hold it in any longer, she reeled her head back and roared with laughter. "Link, oh my goddess! You're such a terrible actor-ahaha!" She then laid flat on her stomach and repeatedly slammed her fist on the ground.

Link's smug features dwindled into a blank slate, he released a sigh and plopped himself on the towel back first as he pouted. He tapped his fingers together a few times, staring at the bright, blue, cloudless sky. Contemplating his theatrical career. "Do I really suck that much?" He asked genuinely.

She dusted her hands off before floating down onto his chest in a sitting position. She patted his head a few times with a condescending smirk. "Yes, but you'll get better in no time! Want to know why?" She spoke in an affectionate voice.

Link raised a brow. "Why?"

She stroke his hair in a loving manner. "Because you're so adorable~!" She smiled impishly, her face only inches away from his.

"Well…" He gently rubbed her cheek, causing them cheeks to heat up. "You're even more adorable than I~!" He grinned in a goofy manner.

"Nuh-uh." She cupped his cheek, only heightening his blush. "You are." Her grin softened, her eyes melting into his azure ones.

"No, you!" His eyes became half-lidded, his heart beating faster.

"Nope, you!" Her face became a bit closer. Her's was going at a faster pace, she finally cupped both cheeks.

"You!" He did the same, his face now only one inch away.

"You!" Her nose bumped his.

"YOU!" Their hearts were beating so fast, he was completely lost in the passion of their gaze and close proximity to each other. The tender, soft feel of her hands were driving him crazy, the same thing happened to her. His eyes closed as his lips were coming in for the kill. Midna froze, her heart fluttered with an insane frenzy of emotions. Was he about to…? But wanting to tease her, he switched targets and kissed her soft, furry cheek.

She smiled softly, but only to mask her disappointment. She wanted to kiss on the lips. Come on, Link! Grow a backbon- She was stopped in her whiney thoughts as Link picked her up under the armpits, stared at her with a teasing grin as he kissed her nose and gently put her down to the side. Her face erupted even further with a blush, but had a love dazed smile.

Link laughed at her cute expression, he just wanted to hug her close. But not yet, he wants to tease her a bit more. "Catch me if you can~!" He bolted upwards and ran towards the water.

Midna shook her head and focused her sights on the running Hylian. "Okay~!" She shrugged, rolled her eyes as she flew and hugged his neck from behind, but made sure to store her Fused Shadow in her storage space. She doesn't need him getting a concussion. The tackle caused the duo to fall into briney blue with a scream and then a loud splash. They both sank below the surface, a mixture of shock and joy was present on Link's face. Midna's case was just joy since she caused this. Link kicked his feet to freedom with the imp clinging tightly to his neck, smiling devilish for the mischief she caused. They broke free, with their laughter doing the same. She quickly had her body levitate and manunered herself in front of the swordsman to get a good look at his face, their bodies' bobbing up and down in the water's shifts. "I never thought I would hear that girly scream of yours again, not after the Poe incident." She giggled and poked his cheek tauntly.

"Pfft- Aren't you one to talk?'" He narrowed his eyes, but still kept his smirk. "If I recall, isn't your voice-higher pitched than mine?"

She smiled smugly. "That is true, but I'm a female imp. What's your excuse, Mr. 'Over 18?'" She found out about his age about two months ago, when the village of Kakariko celebrated his Birthday. Of course Link smuggled a piece of cake for her and they had their own little party with some drinks and food. Which reminds her, her 20th is coming up in a few days. She hopes he remembers, she did mention it in passing once on their journey up to the Temple of Time.

Link rolled his eyes and grumbled slightly, but retained his smirk. "Okay, okay. I guess you have a point…"

"Of course, I do. I'm the brains of this operation after all." She chirped.

"Really? Sure, most of the time you are. But that doesn't change the fact you don't know everything."

"Really? What do I not know? Hmmmmm?" She cooed with confidence, what could she have been wrong about?

"You didn't know a thing about defeating that Darknut in the Temple of Time."

"Hey! I said use those techniques you've learned from that… uh, wolf thing you keep talking about." She shook her head quickly. "That has to count for something!"

"You did, but you didn't know what technique I should try against it, therefore it would only be guesses. So there~!" He stuck his tongue out in a mocking fashion.

"One time! Out of what: a hundred in your case, wolfy? Like that time, you decided to give a thousand repees to that hobo in town! Eee-hee!"

His smirk fell, and grumbled. He remembered all the days of collecting repees for that, claiming it would help restore peace to Hyrule. Sure, he got a Heart Piece out of it, but what's a Piece of Heart compared to precious days. Next time he decides to support a charity: He will do his research first to make sure it's legit."Fine, you win again. Happy?"

"Mhm~!" She hugged his neck a bit tighter and whispered in his ear. "But, hey you're still pretty smart. After all, there are some puzzles in those dungeons even I, the great Midna, can't solve." It's true, if she was in his shoes: she would still be lost in the depths of the Lakebed Temple.

He decided to return the embrace. "So there is some stuff you don't know, I knew it." His joyful grin returned, feeling slightly better about himself.

"Ugh, fine. I guess you're right." She rolled her eyes, pretending to sound pissed. She'll let him have this one. He deserves a thrown bone once in a while. But while he's feeling good, she decided to teleport away from the embrace, Link was confused for a second before a wave of water sent him on his back. "You shouldn't let your guard down around a imp, Link." She wagged a finger condescendingly with a 'tch-tch-tch.' "You would probably would be-" She was splashed with a wave of water, dripping water with her fur glistening in the sunlight, her hair lay flat on her forehead and back with her mouth hanging agape.

Link flashed her a grin, already swimming upright. "Sorry, I didn't get that last part? Mind repeating yourself?" He shrugged his shoulders confidently.

The war was on. They continued playing in the water for about an hour until they got tuckered out and decided to drift across the lake, but still made sure to stay near the shore. Midna was laying on Link's chest; taking a slight nap with the Hylian keeping an arm around her so she wouldn't fall off. Link let his eyes wonder and took his time to take in the beautiful scenery around Lake Hylia. From the rushing waterfall, to the shimmering waters to Fyer's shack, to the cannon that Fyer finally decided to continue. He inhaled deeply, then releasing an exhale. Then his eyes trailed up to the Twilight Portal above… staring deeply into the swirling cyans and black, his eyes dulled slightly, staring deeper, and deeper, and deeper…

Link suddenly got visions of fighting Shadow Beasts, battling them until they turned into specks, then seeing Barnes stare out the window, absolutely terrified as he slumped to the floor and then finally remembering Midna telling him a story in Gerudo Mesa when they first arrived.

Link snapped out of trance, breathing slightly faster than before. What was that all about…? Link then noticed Midna stirring slightly, he quickly masked a grin as she rubbed her eye. "Hey, Midna. Sleep well?"

She yawned slightly, soon letting her head fall on her arms, eyelids half closed. "Mhm... " She yawned once more, then she felt her stomach growl. Oh yeah, it's probably around that time, huh? "Let's head back to shore. I'm famished."

"Uh… Midna, we don't have any food left, remember?" Did she honestly forget? It's not like her to forget something important like that.

Midna's hair formed into a hand and wagged a finger at him. "Remember when I left this morning? I went to scavenge for food this in the forest. Someone has to take care of our food supply." She chirped.

"Oh." He said blanky, a bit surprised. Normally she doesn't go out and scavenge, the only time she has done anything of the sort was when he was once sick and bedwritten for a few days after returning from Snowpeak, granted she only manage to scrounge up mostly fruits and vegetables in the forest, but carefully chose the ones that would speed up his recovery and took proper care of him until then. He changed his direction towards the shore and slowly spun his arms in a circular motion and kicked his feet to propel himself in the water, never taking his eyes off Midna. "I could've helped, why didn't you invite me along?" He said disappointedly.

"Well, you usually are the one to go out hunting or buying food: So I thought you deserved a break." She smiled impishly. Really he does, he usually does all the heavy lifting, too… Honestly, besides giving him a break… she does want to feel useful for once.

Link smiled slightly at the imp, feeling a warm, fuzzy feeling inside his chest. Feeling grateful for the imp's thoughtfulness and kind gesture. But… he does feel a bit worried, he knows she can take care of herself just fine, but that doesn't change the fact that a wild animal or monster could get the jump on her and… he quickly put an end to that thought, he doesn't want to even think that. "Thank you, but next time: how about we go hunting together? This way we can cover more ground." He grinned in a goofy manner. This way he can keep a close eye on her and protect her from any predators in the wild, he… can be a bit of a worrywart sometimes.

The imp thought about it for a moment. But then responded with a wider grin, seemingly excited about the idea. "Sure, why not?"

His face lit up after hearing that, sharing her excitement. Figuring it could be a good bonding experience for them. At this point, he was very close to bumping his head against the shore's edge. Noticing this, Midna used her telekinesis to make him hover out of the water and earned a surprised reaction from the Hylian, bulging eyes and all. She softly placed him on the towel. Honestly, Link could be so careless, Goddesses…

Arthur's notes: Just to clarify, some days might have more than one part, same can go for nights. I could make it more digestible that way. Also: I do believe I am keeping Midna in character for the most part, but I am not entirely sure. If anyone has any pointers, I'm willing to listen.