Cari: ...
Sara: -munches on a cookie-
The Legend of Zelda: The Orb of Bannon Ch. 7
Wind tugged at the princess's hair as she stepped into the open air. All around her she could see the lights coming from shops, homes, and billboards. Below came the glow of traffic lights and speeding cars. Adlez rubbed her arms against the cold and called out to the Sage standing patiently ahead of her.
"Why have you brought me here?"
"This rooftop is the closest thing to a secluded area we will find around here."
"Wouldn't it be more private inside?"
"Trust me princess, we want to be outside." Saria examined the rooftop, "Perfect… nothing flammable, nothing that might explode…."
"Excuse me!"
"You'll see why soon enough… now," The sage beckoned Adlez to come farther from the door, "If you're going to be a proper princess you're going to have to learn some magic."
"Magic? Why?"
"Link's not going to be able to protect you all the time dearie. When he's gone you're on your own, and it is best to know how to defend yourself." Saria made sure there was plenty of room around her. "There were three magical techniques that were past down by the great Goddesses. The most destructive one was Din's fire."
She muttered something under her breath and moved as if she was throwing something at the ground. A dome of fire lit up around her. Adlez yelped and stepped back. As the fire died away Saria continued.
"That is best for targeting multiple enemies, but you can also concentrate the blast on a single object."
Again she muttered something under her breath, but this time she moved as if she was throwing something off the roof. A small glowing orb flew out above the street. It got about halfway, then exploded.
"Hmm… I hope no one noticed that… Anyway… Where and when it explodes is controlled by you." The little girl turned to Adlez, "Want to give it a try?"
"S-sure." The princess said.
"Great! Now repeat what I say…."
xxxxxxx
"Vampires, magic, bah! I must be on something, believing that shit… I need a drink…."
Link walked down the semi-deserted sidewalk, kicking a can he found on the way. A little ways ahead a neon sign flickered Food and Bar.
"Perfect." He said.
He was just about to open the front door when a shout came from inside.
"Whadya mean you don't serve fish here! Is that guy right there not eating salmon!"
Link couldn't hear the muffled reply.
"My kind? That's discrimination buddy! I'll report you to the local authorities!"
The door swung open, crashing into Link and sending him flying.
"Dude, are you okay?"
He opened his eyes to see a young female Zora holding out her hand. He took it and she helped him up. Pausing, Link took a good look at her. She was wearing a loose purple tank top and cropped jean shorts. Two pink crystals dangled from her ears.
"Hello? I asked if you were okay."
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine… Thanks."
She held out her hand again, "I'm Ruto, sorry for knocking you into next Tuesday there."
Link shook her hand; "It's okay… Uh, I don't have a—er… I'm Link."
Ruto laughed a little, "Okay Link. Sorry again for the door thing, it's just that SOME LOSERS," She yelled at the door, "WON'T SERVE ZORAS!"
"Why?" Link asked.
The Zora shrugged, "Some people still seem to have grudges on the fact that our Kingdom didn't want to fuse with the rest of you modern-day freaks."
Link raised an eyebrow.
Ruto laughed nervously, "Oh, but I love this City! Much better shopping than at home." She smiled, "Hey, wanna get a burger? I know of a fast food joint just down the road that doesn't mind that I'm different."
"Sure, but only if you're buying, I'm broke."
"No problems there!"
At the fast food restaurant Ruto and Link sat at one of the tables eating their food and milkshakes. Link took a bite of his cheeseburger.
"Ruto… The name sounds familiar."
"Oh?" Ruto sipped her milkshake; "You may have read it in a history book or something. I was named after my great, great, great, great, great, some odd great-grandmother. I'm of the royal bloodline!"
"Hm… Must be some name to live up to."
"Yeah. Ruto was one of the greatest queens in Zora's Domain's history… so benevolent and wise, and yet she showed no fear in battle… I just hope the name doesn't jinx my love life."
"Why?"
"They say Queen Ruto never married. She was always waiting for her lover to come back to her, even when she passed on."
"If she was never married, then how are you her descendent?"
Ruto sighed. "The Queen's relationship with her lover was a tricky one, for they said he never truly loved her back. When she was young she gave her heart away to him, but he was always going off on some unknown adventures. Then, one day, a little while before she assumed the throne, he left her again and never came back. I doubt he knew it, but he left her pregnant. That's how I'm her descendent."
Link paused from his meal to look at her, "This lover, he doesn't sound like a Zora to me. I've heard Zoras are one of the most loyal races in Hyrule, second only to Gorons."
"That's right." Ruto said sadly. "He was a Hylian. The Hero of Time they say… Because of all that, relationships with other races have since been frowned upon…."
"The Hero of Time?"
"Yeah, you know the legends."
Link gazed at his left hand. The triforce glittered softly. He moved his hand out of Ruto's view.
"So…" She took a huge bite out of her burger, "With my luck I'll never have a good love life."
Link smiled, "Don't be superstitious."
She smiled back, "I try not to be."
xxxxxxx
Outside the air was crisp. Cars sped by honking their horns and the hum of a hundred conversations hung in the air. Link and Ruto walked along the sidewalk, finishing the last bits of their milkshakes.
"I don't know this part of town very well…" Link said, "You know of any good places to go around here?"
"Yeah, I know this place inside and out, follow me!" Ruto grabbed his hand and led him down a few alleyways.
They emerged in a well-kept park, a few stray lampposts giving off the only light. Trees towered over them as they walked along the stone path. Ruto looked over at Link.
"Tell me about your family."
He stared at the ground, "I'm an orphan, I don't remember my parents…."
"Oh," Ruto became quiet, "I'm sorry…."
"Don't be, you didn't know."
Suddenly the flora fell away to a small lake. It was perfectly still and the moonlight reflecting off its surface illuminated all around it.
"It's beautiful." Link said.
Ruto smiled, "I come here to swim. If Zoras stay out of water too long we could die."
She began to take off her clothes.
"What are you doing!" Link yelled, covering his eyes.
"It's okay! Zoras don't need clothes. Actually, clothes are quite uncomfortable, I only wear them so I don't offend the city folk."
Link opened his eyes and saw Ruto standing at the edge of the water. Her skin shone in a way that took his breath away. She was a beautiful Zora. Link felt a blush forming on his cheeks. Ruto smiled and dived into the lake, barely making a sound. When she surfaced again she called out.
"Come on in! The water's great!"
Link, not wanting to take his clothes off, tested the water with his finger. It wasn't unpleasantly cold as he expected; it was actually quite nice. Slowly, he waded out into the lake. When he got waist deep Ruto pulled him under. Link resurfaced, gasping for air. Ruto popped up beside him.
"I'm sorry, I forgot you can't breath underwater. Hold on just a sec."
She swam back to shore and rummaged through the purse she had been carrying. Grabbing something, she dived back into the lake and floated up to Link.
"Here, this'll make it so you can breath underwater." Ruto tied a blue scarf around his neck. "Don't ask me how it works, it just does. And try not to lose it."
She pulled him underwater again. This time Link took a deep breath; he could breath! Ruto led him down into the depths of the lake. It was deeper than it looked, for it took them almost a minute to reach the floor. The sight before Link took his breath away. Strewn about his feet were countless numbers of pearls, coins old and new, jewels, shimmering water flowers, and many other treasures that lit up the lakebed.
"It's a small fortune!"
Ruto laughed. "Every body of water has its own Zora collection. If you think this is impressive you should see Lake Hylia!"
Link watched the filtered light dance on her skin. She seemed to glow like a goddess among her treasure hold. He smiled.
"I'm sorry Ruto. I've had a fun time, but I must get back to my friends."
"Oh," Ruto looked crestfallen. "You're probably right…"
She led him back up to the surface and got out of the water. Link followed, taking off the strange scarf. The Zora shook her head.
"Keep it, I have no use for it anyway."
Putting the scarf back on, he strode over to Ruto and took her hand.
"Thank you. It's been wonderful."
Almost unconsciously Link leaned forward and kissed her. When he realized what he was doing he jerked back.
"S-sorry…" He said quietly, blushing slightly.
Ruto smiled, blushing as well. "It's all right… kinda nice actually…."
She leaned in for another, but Link took a step back.
"I…" He said, "I hope you have better luck than your ancestor." Turning, Link ran off.
"Wait!" Ruto cried, "Where are you staying!"
"A motel down the street!" He yelled over his shoulder.
"See you around Link!" Ruto sighed and rubbed her shoulder. "There's more than one motel on this street… Damn it Queen Ruto, you have cursed me…."
Opia: Would someone please tell me why I keep making Ruto likeable!
Cari: It fits with the story?
Opia: ... But... I don't like Ruto... TT.TT
Sara: -waves her cookie at readers- Weevew pwees!
Cari: Translation... Review please.
Sara: -swallows cookie- I'm sure they understood me!
Opia: I understood you! ( :
Cari: -sigh- ...