"Zelda, you've been sitting here for about two hours now," the large Rito said, looking at the girl from a small distance away. Zelda, after wandering up the road up past the Boss's house lost in thought, eventually perched atop a rather small boulder as she overlooked the bright glowing pools of Death Mountain's lava rivers. From what Kass could tell, the Hylian had apparently taken a liking to watching the orange embers float into the sky from the fiery liquids below.
"You seemed confident in your abilities earlier," Kass continued, not receiving any sort of response from Zelda as she continued to look on below the cliff. "What's gotten you upset?"
"I don't know how I'm supposed to make this medicine for Bludo. I'm not a princess anymore, Kass," Zelda said, reaching down to pick up a small rock from the ground. "I don't have a royal library anymore, nor do I have any type of equipment for researching Goron livelihood. To top it off, I know absolutely nothing about Goron anatomy and herbs that work on a Hylian like Link may work differently on a Goron, yet I have no way of testing that theory. I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm rather pessimistic about our situation at the moment."
Zelda chucked the rock she had picked up off the cliff, watching as it splashed into the steaming lava below. She leaned down, looking for another rock to throw as she allowed herself to sink deeper into her negative thoughts. It hadn't even been a day since Link left. In fact, Link had only left earlier this afternoon, meaning that it had only taken a few hours for Zelda to run into problems without having her knight next to her. The girl's fingers finally found another pebble near her, gently picking up the stone to inspect it. Zelda stared down at the stone, her eyes empty as she looked on before once again throwing the new pebble into the lava.
"You know," Kass said, taking a few steps closer to the girl sitting on the rocks as he looked around to ensure no one was listening in. "When I was still learning from my Sheikah teacher, I was always told that the princess of Hyrule loved research more than anyone in the kingdom. She would find the toughest of subjects more than fascinating. Is there another reason you may be a bit... negative at the moment?"
"Well, first off, your teacher was wrong," Zelda said, throwing another rock into the lava below. "I'm positive the person who loved research the most was either Purah or Robbie. Second, no; everything is fine."
Kass watched as Zelda threw a few more rocks into the lava below before smiling awkwardly. It was clear that everything was not fine. Of course Link not being with her was messing with her confidence, and their fight had only happened earlier that day.
"Maybe you should just rest for today," Kass said with his usual smile. "A lot happened with the boulder, the Yiga, and a little Goron running over your foot. It might be best for you to attempt this tomorrow."
Zelda sat without responding for a few moments until she finally nodded, however she didn't budge from her sitting rock. She continued to look out into the lava pools before taking a large breath.
"Kass? You keep avoiding my question," Zelda said quietly, not turning back to the large Rito. Kass raised an eyebrow as he looked on at the sitting Hylian. The sun had begun to set and the sky began to turn orange, the sun rays beaming down upon Zelda as she remained silent as Kass awaited the inevitable question.
"Link heard the song about my feelings... didn't he?"
Kass blinked a few times. He had vaguely remembered Zelda asking him that same question earlier that day when they had met, however they were in a rush and he had brushed off her question.
"He has heard the song," Kass said slowly. "Though I'm curious as to why he never told you that he knew. I played it for him months ago, and he seemed to take it to heart when I did."
Zelda sat in silence, her back turned to Kass as she continued to look on towards the flowing river of flames. She said nothing as Kass awaited a response from her, a response that never came that evening.
"Alright then," Zelda said. Kass watched as she brought her hand up to what he could only assume was her eyes. He was only able to see the backside of her. "I guess that is all I needed to know. Thank you, Kass."
Zelda stood, stepping down from the rocks as she began to make her way down the path once again, passing Kass without a glance.
"Zelda, I assure you Link-" Kass began to say, however Zelda quickly cut him off.
"I'm fine Kass. I promise," Zelda said as she continued to walk down the mountain, Kass just barely being able to hear her.
"Zelda-" Kass attempted again, however that seemed to only aggravate the girl further.
"I'm fine!" Zelda called back, quickly turning to face Kass. Her eyes were puffy, her cheeks were stained with tear streaks, and her eyes seemed to be tired of everything. "Just... just drop it for tonight. Please?"
Zelda stared at Kass with pleading eyes. The bard stared into Zelda's tired green eyes before nodding, losing his smile for what seemed to be the first time. Zelda stared at the bird for a few more moments before turning back towards Goron City yet again as she wiped her nose.
"It seems as though Link just didn't have the same feelings as I did for him..." Zelda muttered. The Rito never heard these words escape her mouth.
...
"I'm sorry to bother you my dear Goron, but you wouldn't have happened to have seen a Hylian girl around here have you?" Kass asked a rather darker-looking Goron currently cooking toasted shrooms on a burner. The moonlight shone above Goron City as the moon grew higher above their heads. Kass had decided to give Zelda her space, however the girl had never actually told him where she had gone.
"If yer talkin' about a blonde Hylian girl, I believe I saw her head to the Rollin' Inn," the Goron said with a smile, turning the smoking Hylian Shrooms over. "If she's a smart one, she'll get tha' bone crushing massage from Volcon!"
"Why thank you, Aji," Kass said with his usual pleasant smile. "I believe I shall head over there now."
"Not playing any songs tonight Kass?" Aji asked. "Rare for you not to want to play a song or two while in Goron City."
"Believe me, I wish I could," Kass said as he ruffled his feathers. "But alas, I have a friend to accompany me. I shall return to play more music in the future though, don't you fret."
With a wave, Kass walked down the rocky paths and across the metal bridges towards another rock-like structure. The oversized ruby at top of the building shone bright in the moonlight as the rock-made sign swayed a bit in the ember-filled breeze, a moon shape signifying an inn carved into its center. Kass nodded as he entered the building, hoping to find Zelda inside.
"Good evenin'" An old, bearded Goron at the front called out as Kass entered the building. "Welcome to the Rollin' Inn. Rentin' out a bed for tonight?"
"Maybe in a bit," Kass replied, looking around. "You hadn't happened to have checked in a young Hylian girl into this fine establishment, have you?"
"In fact I have, she's layin' down right over there," the old Goron said, pointing toward back of the inn. The Rito peered in the direction of where the old Goron was pointing, and sure enough there on the furthest bed closest to the wall laid a Hylian girl.
"Thank you," Kass responded, relieved to have found Zelda in a safe place. "Has she eaten or done anything?"
"Quiet as a leftover bone from a Rock Roast," the Goron said, looking at the laying down girl themselves. "She came in and asked for a bed, didn't want anything else. Completely disregarded Volcon's massage, said she just wanted to be left alone. Took her a while to figure out how many rupees she needed. You'd think she ain't ever used 'em before."
"Sorry about that," Kass said with an apologetic smile. "I would in fact like to stay here for a night, if you don't mind."
"Twenty rupees for the regular," the Goron said. With a smile, Kass reached into his inner satchel pockets and placed a red rupee on the rock counter.
"Much appreciated. Thank you, Tray," Kass said with a smile. The Goron nodded as Kass made his way to the bed next to Zelda's. The Rito stood next to his bed, setting his accordion down on the metal night stand before inspecting the mattress and pillow, if one could call it that. The mattresses were made of the 'softest' rock slabs, and hadn't any covers due to the already extreme heat of the mountain. The pillow was no better, as it was just a slimmer and small stone slab.
Kass, not looking forward to sleeping on the rocks, turned to look at Zelda, who was currently laid down on a similar rock hard bed with her back turned to the wall. Kass inspected the girl for a moment, unable to help but notice that she wasn't centered with the bed. If anything, she seemed to be far to the left, as if she was leaving room for another person to crawl in next to her.
Kass sighed as he sat his tail feathers on the bed, trying to find words to comfort the girl. He could tell she was still awake, the irregular breathing of Zelda's a clear statement that she was holding in some unwelcome emotions. Kass looked around a moment, ensuring there weren't any extra ears listening to them before speaking.
"Zelda..." Kass began. Zelda didn't move. "You should eat something. It's been a day since you've had a proper meal, correct? I'm sure Link has left food in the Sheikah Slate for you."
Zelda didn't move, remaining in the same position with her back turned towards the Rito bard. Kass frowned as he tried to find other words, however the only words that could come to him were about the blue-clad knight. After a moment's hesitation, Kass gave into his words:"I don't know what has transpired between you and your knight these last few months. Of course you told me what you have, but I'm positive you've left out any... intimate scenarios that have taken place..." Kass paused, wondering if he'd get a response from the girl. There was none. "I can't tell you why Link never chose to openly state that he heard the song or that he knew what your feelings were. You have all the right to be upset, however, I feel you may want to speak to him about it the next time you see him. Maybe you'll learn something."
Kass watched as Zelda adjusted in her bed, curling up into a ball as she remained facing the wall. The bard smiled sadly as he watched the girl bring her knees to her chin, wishing there were more he could do for the girl. He looked over at his resting accordion, raising an eyebrow as he turned his gaze back to the Hylian girl. He shrugged. Music had never failed him before.
Kass grabbed his accordion as he propped himself against the baseboard of the bed. Notes slowly began to flow out of the accordion, playing the first part of the song he had performed for Zelda earlier that day.
"I believe you said this was the lullaby your mother sang to you when you were young..." he said, slowly playing the notes as he glanced over at Zelda periodically. She remained quiet, however her breathing became much more rhythmic. Kass smiled as he watched the body of the girl raise and lower slower and slower as sleep overtook her .
...
Kass yawned as he sat up, stretching to crack his hollow bones after having slept on a literal rock for the night. He peered over to see Zelda's bed empty. He looked around before spotting Zelda on the other side of the Rollin' Inn, currently sitting at a large circular rock-made table. He smiled tiredly. She really was a handful to keep track of. However Link managed to do it for as long as he had was astonishing to the bird.
Loading his accordion onto his back, Kass stood from the bed as he made his way over to the girl. Upon closer inspection, Zelda seemed to have accumulated multiple bottles of different elixirs that from what Kass could only assume had been kept in the Sheikah Slate. Adjusting his leather getup, Kass sat down on the opposite side of the table as he watched Zelda scour through the Sheikah Slate. The girl hadn't acknowledged his presence, continuing to tap away at the Sheikah Slate screen.
"If I may..." Kass began after listening to the quiet ambient noises of Sheikah Slate icons being tapped. Zelda, a glint of surprise in her eyes, glanced up to determine what the sudden disturbance was before returning her focus down at the Slate yet again.
"Good morning, Kass," greeted Zelda, continuing to tap away. "Did you have a concern?"
"Just a small one," Kass responded, glancing between her and the many bottles that remained sitting on the rock hard table. "Are you confident you should be using the Sheikah Slate out in the open like this?"
"The Yiga live in the desert. I doubt fireproof elixirs are a very common commodity. And I highly doubt someone would sell it to them," Zelda said without glancing up.
"That may be true, but Link has told stories about Yiga disguising themselves as regular folks..." Kass said, immediately regretting the mention of Link's name. Zelda's eyebrow twitched as her swiping became faster on the Slate.
"Regardless of what the Hylian Champion has said, I need the Sheikah Slate to expedite my research. It has the tools and information necessary to at least give me a chance at solving this," Zelda said irritably.
Hylian Champion? Oh dear, Kass thought to himself. It seemed as though Link was now quite the touchy subject, and bothering the girl maybe wasn't the best option. She seemed to be quite the short-tempered Hylian.
"Well... why not teach me a thing or two?" Kass said with a smile, trying to find ways to enlighten the girl. If she wasn't going to put the Slate away, it was best to try and use it to cheer her up. Kass's mentor always stated she loved research; regardless of what she said yesterday, research was definitely a comfort for the young blonde. "How does the Sheikah Slate help with your research?"
Zelda glanced up curiously, looking at Kass for a moment before responding.
"You want to hear me talk about research?" asked Zelda. Kass nodded, confused at Zelda's response.
"It would be fascinating to see your thought process. You've listened to me talk about music," Kass said happily. "Is there an issue with you talking to me about your theories?"
"N-No, not at all; there are just very few people who wish to hear me talk about them," Zelda said sheepishly. "My father forbade me from research after a while, and the only ones who would really listen to me were Purah, Robbie and... him."
Zelda's gaze moved back down to the Sheikah Slate for a moment, her eyes filling with sadness. Before Kass could say anything to clear Link from her thoughts, the girl furrowed her eyebrows as she suddenly stood. In an instant, to the Rito's surprise, Zelda sat in a rock-like chair next to him.
"This here, is the Hyrule Compendium," Zelda said, taking on a much more professional tone. Shaking away his surprise, Kass looked down at the table to see Zelda holding the Sheikah Slate out in front of him, a hand pointed at the screen.
"This is a feature that allows the user to scan an object and the Slate can determine what the object is and what it can be used for. It's knowledge base is so in-depth, it can recognize a person, to a weapon, to a food. Nature, elixirs, and other substances can also be analyzed, hence-" Zelda gestured to all of the bottles on the table. "All I need to do is read through what these elixirs and potions do. If anything, there has to be a substance that works on any race."
Kass nodded, pretending as if he were keeping up, however Zelda had lost him at "scan." This was very much a far cry from musical notes, however she seemed to be happy just talking. Kass chuckled. This talkative girl was likewise a far cry from the knight that he had assisted throughout his travels, especially when he first awoke from his slumber.
"What are you laughing at?" Zelda asked, clearly bugged that her lecture was interrupted.
"Nothing," Kass said. "So have you discovered anything useful?"
"Well... not yet," Zelda said, aiming the Sheikah Slate at the bottles as she began reading their descriptions. "He had so many in there..."
Zelda frowned as she continued to tap away at the Sheikah Slate. Kass watched on as Zelda clicked away. She really was a hard worker. She had been sulking only the night prior. Was research a getaway for her? Kass watched on, glancing at the many bottles on the table before taking an interest in one of the more elegant bottles. Using his feathery fingers, the bard picked up the slim bottle filled with what seemed to be a pinkish, sparkling liquid.
"What's this one?" Kass asked curiously, inspecting the bottle with interest. Zelda glanced over before returning to her slate.
"Fairy Tonic," she replied in a monotone voice. "He used it a lot to heal himself, apparently it has... great..."
Zelda slowly stopped talking as she turned back to stare at the tonic. Startling Kass once again, the Hylian quickly stood as she took the bottle from his hands.
"Fairy Tonic has prominent healing abilities! The purity of a fairy allows any injury to be at the very least somewhat healed!" Zelda said, practically jumping for joy. "And it's never been known to only work on one race! Even the Rito and Gorons should be able to consume Fairy Tonic and reap similar effects!"
"Will it heal an elder's back?" Kass said, not expecting Zelda to get as loud as she had. Zelda gave him probably the happiest smile he had seen from her in their day of travel.
"Maybe not, but it would work as one wonderful painkiller!"
"Will you two stop shoutin' over there!" a rough voice called out. Zelda and Kass looked over to see Tray eyeing them from the inn's front counter. "Ya not the only guest to sleep here!"
"S-Sorry..." Zelda said, slowly sitting back in her chair.
"So? Do we give this to Bludo, then?" Kass asked. Zelda however, shook her head.
"No, it needs to be tested. If it doesn't work the first time I doubt we'll have a second chance. We need to find a Goron with a similar issue..." Zelda said, eyeing the bottle of Fairy Tonic. Kass and Zelda sat in silence for a moment before Kass stood.
"Why don't we ask our friend Yunobo? Maybe he knows a friendly Goron to help us?" Kass asked. Zelda nodded as she began to put the remaining bottles back into the Sheikah Slate.
"I believe that is for the best," she said. With the bottles back in the Sheikah Slate, Zelda stood to dust herself off before turning towards the Rollin' Inn exit. It was time to find a suitable test subject.
...