A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
A Pair of Time
Chapter 7- Rich of the Poor, Part 1
Kakariko Village; Day
Malon and Link traverses the stairs up to the friendly village of Kakariko. Impa says she was born here, and that Kakariko Village is the only way to get to Death Mountain above, since the village is at the foot. A soldier is nearby the entrance, surprise that a boy and a girl are traveling together, up to this quiet little place.
"Uh, sir? We were wonderin-" Link begins to ask.
"Ding dong, ding dong!" he shouts gleefully. "I'm a clock soldier of Kakariko! The current time is: 07:12."
Wow, this soldier can tell time that easily?
"Hello there, you two." the soldier then goes to greeting. "Zelda's attendant, the great Impa, opened this village to the common people."
"Really?"
"Yes, son." the soldier grins. "We have only a small population now, but someday this place will be as lively as Hyrule Castle Town! Oh, yes! It will!"
"Er, okay. Do you know how to get up to Death Mountain?"
"Hah hah hah! You must be a little crazy if you want to climb up there! But, I'm guessing you aren't. So, I'll tell you how."
The soldier walks over to the opening of the wooden entrance. He points at the stairs for both Malon and Link to see.
"Climb up the stairs at the north end of the village, right there where I'm pointing, to find the trail that leads up Death Mountain."
"Thanks."
"You know that you need the King's permission to actually go up the mountain, right, son?"
"Yeah, I got that covered."
"Excuse me, Mister." Malon steps forward.
"Yes, little lady?"
"Do you know…" Malon blushes a bit, "anybody that would lend me a bathroom right now?"
The soldier looks from her to Link, then back again. He almost laughs. It is definitely strange, not asking part, but how Malon could say such a thing out loud in front of a boy, like he's her brother or something.
"You need to go… um, to the bathroom quickly, right, little lady?"
"Yes, well, I just need to clean up here. I, uh…"
The soldier needs no words. He sees the wet part of the dress that Malon tries so hard to cover up. Now, in this case, he does laugh. It's just too wrong that a girl wets herself and traveling with a boy at the same time. The laughing upsets Malon, seeing that an adult would laugh at such a thing.
"Mister!" Malon whines.
"Oh ho, oh ho! I'm… I'm just so sorry, little lady! But, it's just… Never mind. Ah-hem!" the soldier straightens himself. "That house over there next to the nearest stairs will certainly help you."
"Thank you, Mister." Malon rushes off, leaving Link with the soldier.
"Son…" the soldier has a smirk on him, nodding a bit as he talks, "you are one lucky boy to have a girl trust you like that."
"Um…"
"Now, welcome to Kakariko Village. I shall resume post here. Unless you want to know what the current time is again."
"No thanks."
Link runs down the slope from the entrance, seeing Malon knock on the door of the mentioned house. A woman in red opens the door. After a small conversation, the woman nods, opening the door for Malon, then shutting it. Link shrugs.
A Cucco immediately passes through Link's vision. He has the urge to pick up, or poke it with his sword, but important matters flies by in his mind. Link runs down to the tree in the middle of the village, seeing a big man yelling.
"My whole team of workers is USELESS! I can't believe what's happening!"
"Uh, sir? What's happening?"
"See these lazy bags of bones you see running around here? That's what's happening!"
Nope, Link sees nobody except the man. Houses, a tree, bushes, a Cucco, but nothing else.
"I am the boss of the carpenters that Impa hired to improve this village and make it into a true city!" the man's voice remains stern. "But young men these days don't have any ambition… Do you know what I mean, kid?"
"Uh, I have ambition."
"But you're just a little boy! Kids have ambition, naturally, but when you grow up to the ages of these lazy bums, you'll lose them!"
"Hey, I know that I'm not going to lose my ambition when I gro- I mean, when I'm tal- Uh…"
"What's the matter, kid? Cat got your tongue?"
Link is struggling not to say that Kokiris grow up. He has to get his facts straight. And the matter of finding out what "Cat got your tongue" means does not help.
Link sighs. "Nothing, sir," he replies to the "What's the matter, kid" question.
"Fine. Look, kid, I know that you're all eager because of your young ambition, but look at this. My workers are just running aimlessly around the village, and they're not making any progress at all… Even my own son doesn't have a job, and he just wanders around all day! They're all worthless, I tell you!"
Figuring that arguing is not the best idea, Link heads for the house that Malon went inside for a cleanup. He knocks on the door, hearing a voice after.
"Come in!" this cheery voice singsong.
Link opens the door to find the same woman before, cooking over a stove. Link looks around, wondering where Malon is. When he decides that it's better to ask, he walks up to the woman.
"Excuse me, ma'am."
"Hi, boy!" she looks down from her cooking. "Is this the first time you've visited this village?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"A great woman, Impa, opened up this village to us poor folks."
"I know, ma'am."
"Well, make yourself at home. The food isn't ready yet, though."
"Oh, I'm not hungry."
Although his stomach begs to differ completely. It's growling from the fact that all it ate since yesterday was a piece of bread that Link brought. The woman chuckles when she hears the growling of Link's stomach.
"Ha ha ha ha ha! Well, are you sure? Your stomach is really aching for food, I bet."
"Oh, no. I can… buy some food later. It was nice of you to offer food, though."
"That's okay. If you ever need to change your mind, just tell me." the woman is about to turn around to check her food, but suddenly remembers something. "By the way, a girl came by earlier saying she needs the bathroom, for her own special reasons. Thank Lady that this village has indoor plumbing. She said that if a boy in green ever comes by, he should wait for her. So, I'm betting you are the green boy she's talking about, right?"
"Yes."
"Do you both know each other or something?"
"Yeah, we know each other. We're best friends."
"Well, ain't that a cute thing! A girl and a boy being best friends! That's so sweet."
Now, Link has no idea what kind of things could be associated with a boy and a girl being best friends. But, he feels that he's going to be in a load of embarrassment later on during his journey.
"That girl looks awfully familiar, though."
"Well, her name is Malon, from Lon Lon Ranch."
"Oh! That's the daughter of the milkman! I usually buy milk from him, and I sometime see his daughter. I wonder what's she doing out here in Kakariko?"
"We're traveling."
"Traveling? Ho ho ho! Boy, you and her are a strange bunch! I understand you traveling, but her? What about her father?"
"He says it's okay," Link answers, remembering what Malon told him in Hyrule Field.
"Well, whatever you two might be doing, good luck. And both of you are welcome here anytime you two like."
"Thank you, ma'am. Do you know where she is?"
"Oh, she's in the bathroom, as she wanted, which is near the bedroom over there."
"Thanks."
Link enters the bedroom, filled with eight beds. He figures that the woman must be an innkeeper or a person that opens their house to everybody. Because of that, Link plops himself on a bed. Nearby is the door that leads to the bathroom. Link hears the sound of water splashing, knowing that Malon is washing out… well…
"Miss!" Malon's voice calls out.
"Yes, darling?" the woman replies later when she comes in.
"Do you have… something I could wear?"
"Of course, darling! I'll get you some clothes right now."
The woman opens a box nearby, filled with an assortment of clothes. Link has never seen so much clothes of different fashion all mixed up together. The woman pulls out a simple, orange dress a while later, checking it. When she is satisfied, she goes up and knocks on the bathroom door.
"I've got a dress. Open up, so I can slip you it."
Unaware that Link is sitting on the bed nearest to the door, Malon opens a good amount of distance before seeing Link on the bed. For a moment, nothing happens. Link sees Malon, completely naked, in front of him. He blinks, unsure of what… what's… what should happen. Malon, once realizing the situation, screams and slams the door shut. Link, however, just… blinks…
"Oh, honey! I'm so sorry that I forgot to tell you the green boy's right there," the woman apologizes. "I'm so sorry!"
Sounds of sob could be heard from inside. Too much has been shown, Malon figures.
"Darling, please open up, so that I can give you this dress. I promise you that the boy won't be looking through the door…"
At this, the woman tilts her head towards the exit. Link nods slowly, then, like his nod, walks sluggishly out of the bedroom.
"He's gone, now, darling. Now, please, open the door…"
Link has just saw Malon naked. Link now just seen Malon naked. Link's seen Malon naked. Link now begins to think of Malon naked. He shakes his head at this, realizing how sick he would feel if he does just that, and how Malon would think of that, too. But, still, he can't just dismiss the fact that…
No. No, I would not think of it. I am a person with respect for others. I will respect Malon, despite that she was just in front of me without any clothes earlier. I will respect, I will respect…
It's so much harder for him to discard the whole thought of this than he realizes.
Maybe I should think of something else. Yeah, that's right. I shall… think of the forest! Oh, how I miss it…
--
Malon is still sobbing against the door as she replays the encounter of how she opened the door, and there he was, staring at her while she didn't have any clothes on.
If only I knew! If only Link or that woman said something! But, now… Link just saw me without any clothes! My whole life is ruined!
"Darling, please open up, so that I can give you this dress. I promise you that the boy won't be looking through the door…"
Is he? Is he just some… some… some boy that likes… looking at naked girls? Is he!
"He's gone, now, darling. Now, please, open the door…"
"No!"
"Why?"
"You could be lying!"
"Now, honey, why would I lie?"
"You didn't say anything before about him in the bedroom!"
"Now, I'm sorry about that, darling. I was just so occupied about the food cooking and the clothing that I was going to get you that I didn't see him."
"Now… now… he… saw me… without…"
"I know, darling. But, you can't go back in time and change the whole thing. You just got to deal with it. Now, please, open up the door so I can give you this dress…"
"No!"
Malon hears a defeated sigh outside. "Okay, darling. I'll leave the dress by the door then, so you can get it."
Malon hears the gentle rustle of the dress being softly laid on the ground, then footsteps moving away from the door.
Horrible… Horrible. I can't believe he saw me naked…
DRIP! Malon's dress and undergarment are clean, but wet. She has to hang them for a while here, or, at least until she finds a better drying spot.
She dwells on the thought for a good number of minutes before taking the woman's words into consideration.
Well, I can't change the past. Might as well just deal with this the best way I can.
Malon pulls open the door slowly, letting her eye out only to check if Link is there again. When she sees nobody, she quickly swipes the orange dress off the ground and pulls herself inside. There, she slips into the clothing. It's a little too big and plain, but feels comfy with the soft material rubbing against her.
At least I have something to wear. But…
Malon looks with dread at her only undergarment she brought, a white underwear that matches her dress. It's still wet enough to make anybody jump out of it as soon as they got in. Malon sighs.
At least it'll be a bit more… breezy up there, then. I'll just have to keep the dress down when a wind blows across.
She takes her wet clothes and herself out of the bathroom, confident that things would turn out better than she expects. She walks into the kitchen, seeing Link sit on a tree stump. Again, their eyes meet for a moment, before Malon breaks the gaze and goes up to the woman.
"Uh, Miss? Do you have someplace where I can hang these to dry?"
"Why, yes. I have a clothesline just outside. Here, follow me."
"Thank you."
The two goes outside, leaving Link to himself. They go to the side of the house, where a short clothesline is swaying with the breeze.
"Here, darling, let me hang them," the lady offers.
Malon gives her wet clothes up to the woman. Hanging them on, Malon is still embarrassed by the idea that her dress and… undergarment is drying outside, for everyone to see. She sighs as the woman straightens her underwear, then puts it on the clothesline.
"There now," she said as she finishes. "They should be dry in about some hours or so."
"Do they have to be… out here, Miss?"
"Yes. You'll get used to it when you grow up."
"Um… could you get the green boy for me?"
"Okay, honey." the woman nods, then starts to head inside. "I hope you two can resolve that issue earlier."
I hope so…
--
"Hey, boy! Miss Malon wants you outside!" the woman yells through the open door.
Link looks around to her, confused. Had Malon forgiven him already? Whatever it is, Link walks outside the door, the same pace as when after he saw Malon unready.
"There now, boy. I think she just wants to talk it over. Good luck." the woman winks as Link walks past her. "You're welcome back anytime!"
The door shuts behind him, leaving Link with Malon's face to stare at. He doesn't know where to begin.
"I… That… thing earlier…"
"Oh, forget it, Link." Malon closes her eyes and turns her face. "You saw me without clothes on. There, and that's that. I can't change it, and now… you know what I look like when I'm… naked."
"I… Huh?"
"I'm… apologizing to you, Link. I know it wasn't your fault that I opened up too much, so there. Happy?"
"Um… well, if you're happy…"
"I am, okay? Let's just… forget about it."
"That's the best thing I've heard all day." Link smiles. "C'mon, let's check out this village."
Link runs up the stairs on his left, while Malon stands there rethinking.
He sure is a nice boy… He doesn't tease me on private things. And who says being naked in front of your… best friend will do anything?
Malon exhales, then follows Link up the small stairs. On the left at the top, she sees Link talking to a red hair lady.
"Ma'am, are you sure you can't get them by yourself?"
"No, boy, I can't!"
"What's going on?" Malon walks up to the two.
"Oh, my Cuccos have all flown away!"
"How, Miss?"
"I… I tripped by accident and opened the pen's gate. Then, the Cuccos went flying off… You two, please! Please help me bring them back to this pen!"
"Well, how many are there?"
"Seven, I think."
"Well, c'mon, Link! Let's find those Cuccos!"
No need to say better than done, Link already grabs one nearby, then he tosses it back into the pen.
"Oh, thank you!" the lady bows. "Please catch the other six!"
"Okay. Link, you look over there on the north side of the village. I'll check the south, okay?"
"Okay."
"Good. Let's go!"
Malon dashes off to her right, seeing one Cucco behind a fence and is blocked by a house. But, that's the problem. The Cucco is behind the fence, and is blocked by the house.
How am I supposed to get that one!
She shakes her head, then remembers that one Cucco is wandering around near the entrance. She jumps off the nearby ledge and finds it feeding on something inside the grass.
Ah, ha! Gotcha…
Malon sneaks quietly, then dives forward, landing her hands around the Cucco. She picks it up over her head, sending a fury of feathers flapping above her. Quickly, she starts to run back to the pen. It is then that she notices the unreachable Cucco again. Malon looks around for a way to get it, but sees nothing that could get there. She can't reach the edge, she can't jump off the high ground that the carpenters built…
Wait, I can jump off that. I just need to hold this crazy Cucco while I'm at it.
She runs up the stairs to the in-progress building. Up there, a man in the blue and purple carpenter uniform is jogging on a frame rather dangerously.
"Hey, little girl!" he calls. "What's with holding the Cucco?"
"I'm bringing back all of the lady's Cuccos over there, Mister!"
"Oh, you mean her. She works so hard taking care of her Cuccos, even though touching them gives her goose bumps…"
"Really?"
"Yeah. What a trooper! I would really like to help her! I've just been feeling so charitable these days! I bet you are, too, since you're helping her."
"Yep. Now, if you'll excuse me…"
Malon, with the Cucco to lighten her descent, jumps across the gap, to the other Cucco trapped by the 'four walls of unreachability.' Easily done because of the fluttering the Cucco she's holding makes, she reaches the area. She tosses the Cucco she's holding over the edge, then grabs the trapped one, jumps the edge, and throws it in the pen. Repeatedly, she grabs the other Cucco that was near the entrance and throws that into the pen, too.
There! Three Cuccos! Huh, I wonder if fairy boy has any luck finding any?
"Four more Cuccos! Please find them!" the lady reminds.
"Okay!"
--
Link has the harder part of the search. He walks around, seeing a well in front of him, with a sign saying,
'Dark! Narrow! Scary!
Well of Three Features'
Link looks into the well to see what it means, but all he sees is water. Nothing dark, narrow, or scary about that. He shrugs, then sees a Cucco out of the corner of his eye. But, like Malon, the Cucco is on the other side of a fence. A tall fence. Link sees that there are only two ways to get there. One is to go search the village for an alternative route. Another is to jump the gap of the cliff that a stairway leads to in front of him.
Of course, anybody would choose the alternative route, so that's what Link does. He runs through the whole length of the village, but it seems that only one of the houses will lead to this closed area. He remembers a tower somewhere in the village. Maybe that could let him see where this house may be. He runs to the upper part of the village, stumbling into a carpenter during his ascent of the middle stairway.
"Oh, sorry, kid," the carpenter apologizes. "I wasn't watching where I was going. You okay?"
"Yes, sir."
The man sighs. "Things are bad these days."
"What do you mean?"
"All day long, we, my fellow carpenters and I, are working on many construction projects in the village. It's going to take awhile before everything is done."
"How long?"
"I don't know, kid. But, it's going to take awhile, I know that. Our boss works us very hard. Now, I've got something to do, kid, so if you'll excuse me…"
The carpenter jogs pass Link, in a sort of a carefree way. Link is confused again. How are the projects going to be done quickly when he's running around like that? Link shrugs to this question. Going to the tower, he goes up the stairs and is about to climb it when he sees a guy in a white shirt and a tied dye pants sitting on a roof.
Okay… Aside that Hylians think I look strange, they're strange, too. Who would have the idea of sitting on a roof?
"Hey, sir! What are you doing up there?" Link asks.
"Hmm? I don't know, dude. I just forgot why I'm up here. Or even how."
Definitely strange.
"I can't get down, so all I can do is look at Death Mountain," he finishes.
"Okay… Well, I hope that you'll somehow get down…"
Link turns his attention away from the stranded man to the tower. Looking up, the whole tower isn't that tall to him. But, if he falls…
That won't happen.
Link starts to climb up. The sky above grows bigger as the world underneath him shrinks simultaneously. On the top, butterflies strangely occupy the air. Link casts his eyes around, feeling like he's on top of the world.
Taller than that carved mound in Kokiri Forest. Wow… I wonder how Malon would react if she were this high…
Images of Malon crying and begging to come down appear. But, Link immediately shakes the thoughts away. He shouldn't make fun of her because she's afraid of heights. That's not the way to go.
But, still, I would like to see her do that up here… No, no. I'm a bad person… Got to find that house that leads to that area…
Link's eyes begin their search below. It seems that two houses share the area. The closest one has no door, and the other one is still in its building phase. But, be as it may be, Link climbs down, drops midway for a quick fall, and chooses the incomplete building by right of the north stairs. Inside, he sees another carpenter, his expression a bit frustrated.
"Uh, sir? Could I pass through?"
"Sorry, boy. The passageway is not done. It's a bit unstable now, so you can't go through."
"Oh."
"Hey, boy, let me ask you something. What do you think of this…?" the carpenter leans close to drop his voice to a whisper. "A job where you can make a lot of money without much effort… The only thing I can think of is thievery… Is that a bad idea?"
"Um, well…"
"Oh, never mind. I shouldn't ask you such a question. You're just a little kid. And so, you need good morals…" the carpenter sighs.
Link returns outside with the nagging thought.
Stealing? A way to get money without much work? That's a bad idea… but somehow, I don't feel that much against it…
His thoughts are disrupted by a Cucco moving pass him.
Ah, just a Cucco. I can't believe I've got distr… A CUCCO?
Link dashes for the Cucco, scaring it into running. After a good amount of effort, Link catches it with a deep breath.
Whew! All right, let's get this back to the lady. Hmm… but, what about the other Cucco?
A mad idea pops up. If Link could jump the gap with the Cucco… With nothing to say no to this, Link's already at the edge of the cliff next to village's windmill.
I just need to jump this, then grab the edge at the last second. I'll get both Cuccos in the pen in no time.
He needs to time just right, or else he will just waste his energy.
Okay… Three… Two… One… JUM-
"Hey, boy, whatcha doing?"
"WWAAHH!" Link immediately stops to the voice, his whole body's on the edge and leaning towards the gap.
"Whoa, kid!"
Link feels a hand grab his tunic on the back and pull him back away from danger.
"A little more and you would have fallen!" Link sees that the voice belongs to yet another carpenter. "What were you thinking?"
"Jumping this gap to reach the top of that fence," Link responds a moment later.
"Hah hah hah! Are you crazy? There's really nothing on the other side, 'cept for a hole and ladder leading up the side of the windmill. And the whole land there belongs to those two owners of those houses. I don't think they'd like a kid in their backyard."
"I just need to be there a bit, then I'll be out." Link then realizes the activity this carpenter is doing. "Are you jogging off like the other carpenters?"
"Yes, I'm just a little tired and bored from the work, see. I want to try the Heart-Pounding Gravedigging Tour in the Graveyard, but it's only at night."
Graveyard…? Haven't I heard of this graveyard thing in the books?
"Have you seen Mr. Dampe, who lives in the Graveyard?" the carpenter asks.
"No, sir. Where's this Graveyard?"
"If you don't know where it is, kid, it's up ahead, that path in the wall."
He points to the rectangular cutout of the wall.
"It's 7:48 right now, so he's probably asleep in his hut," the carpenter figures.
"Why would anybody sleep during the day?"
"I don't know. Part of his job, I guess. Being a gravekeeper and a guide makes him work at night. If you want to see him, now's not the time. Why don't you go out onto the field and kill some time? Pardon me for the word, 'kill.'"
The carpenter goes down the stairs, continuing his jogging. Maybe when Link has some free time, he could go to this Graveyard, but now…
Link does the whole jump thing again, without hesitation. In the air, he reaches the fence, the top just above his neck. He throws the Cucco, setting his hands free so that they grab the top. Pulling himself up, he notices that the Cucco is stuck on top. Link does the courtesy of picking it up and throwing it away from the closed area. After that, he jumps down, surprising the Cucco underneath, sending it running. Again, Link chases it around, until the Cucco falls into the ground.
What the…?
He slowly walks up, seeing the hole where the Cucco fell in.
Great.
Jumping in, he sees the Cucco curling itself in a corner of the cave. But that's not what catches his eye. A treasure chest is nearby. Link opens it to find a red Rupee.
20 Rupees. Not bad, I guess. Now, to get this Cucco.
The Cucco sees no way out, so it just gives up and lets Link carry it. Stepping into the 'portal' of the hole, he jumps back out.
Okay. Now, how do I get out…?
The exit to the incomplete house is nearby, but the passageway isn't done. The other house has no exit on the other side.
Maybe it does. I haven't checked it yet…
Link is disappointed to see a note on the door saying,
'Granny's Potion Shop. Closed. Gone for Field Study. Please come again! --Granny.'
I can't find a way out! How in the world can I…
Link notices that the fence near the Potion Shop is short. Short enough to throw the Cucco over it to the other side, anyhow. No need for his mind to figure out the thing, he does it as if it's a reflex.
Okay, now I've two Cuccos down there. I just need to jump this fence an- IS THAT ANOTHER CUCCO?
A Cucco is seen on the cliff around the windmill, stopping Link before his leg disconnect with the fence. Like before, Link's reflexes take over. He climbs the ladder mentioned by the carpenter, catches the Cucco before it knows what hit it, then jumps the cliff, landing in the Cucco pen nearby perfectly. He drops the Cucco, and in less than 30 seconds throws the other two he's found into the pen.
"Oh, my! You're such a strong, healthy boy!" comments the Cucco lady.
"Thanks, ma'am. So that's…"
"Six Cuccos. I'm missing one more."
"So I brought in four, while she brought in two. Well, I guess I should wait here for her. She should be getting that last Cucco soon."
--
Searching the south half of the village, Malon sees no bird of white on the ground whatsoever. She sits on the crate by the house of the kind lady. She's exhausted, almost about to give up on where these Cuccos are. She sees houses, people, but no Cucco. However, she does hear the sounds of a Cucco somewhere. It is close, very close. And it's coming from under somewhere. Somewhere close. So close. As if the Cucco's under her…
She stops listening to the sound around her for the one in her head.
There's a Cucco… in this crate?
Malon jumps off of the crate, staring at it for a moment. She then puts her ear against it. There it is, the sound of a Cucco coming from inside…
But, how am I supposed to break open this crate? Think, Malon, think… Think… like… Think like Link...?
That's a strange idea, but knowing Link, it could work. To break something like this, in Link's point of view, she would have to head butt it.
Oh, well, if it's Link's idea, it should work…
Malon rears back, then throws herself at the crate, head first. She tenses right before the hit, to save herself a shock from the headache. The crate breaks to her determined head, revealing the Cucco that Malon's head has to suffer for.
"Owwww… There you are!"
She runs back to the pen with the Cucco, but is immensely surprised. Six Cuccos flock inside, crowing a bit angrily that their little journey of Kakariko Village has to end so soon. Link smiles when she comes, leaving Malon a bit of unnoticeable blush on her face.
Oh, he's got four of them in before me. Well, I shouldn't care about this! Just be Link's… best friend and throw it in!
Mind over body allows the Cucco to be united with the rest of the other Cuccos. Malon takes a deep breath, then walks up to the lady.
"We're done, Miss. We've got all seven Cuccos." Malon has a satisfied smile on her.
"Thank you for finding my Cuccos. I have allergies, so I get goose bumps when I touch them. That's the reason why I asked you two to help me."
"Oh…" Link understands.
"For helping me, I will give this to both of you. It's fine glass, and should be useful. Please take good care of it."
The Cucco lady hands them a Bottle, hard but handy, should they ever find a need for it.
"Thanks, Miss," Malon said.
"Yes, you two are welcome. But… please don't tease my Cuccos!"
"Oh… sorry if we did, then…"