"We need a few more chairs at that table!" Prima called out from the cooking counter. While she did her self-designated job of preparing and categorizing the multiple different wines, ales, and beers that she had been mixing for the past few months, she kept an eye on Zelda, who was tasked with preparing the dining area for the anticipated evening. "There could also be more put against that wall and that corner. Come on, quickly, quickly!"
"I understand!" Zelda called out as she rushed out and then back into the room. "You said in that corner, yes?"
"That's the one, set 'em down," Prima responded, turning back to the multiple glasses and mugs that were being set on the counter for quick and easy access.
Thanks to Zelda's efforts, the dining room had been completely overhauled. While usually, it had one simple table with a few chairs, that table had been moved to the side to allow in a few other smaller tables that had been kept in storage. Wooden chairs were also being moved into the room in areas where tables wouldn't fit to accommodate as many people as possible, such as those who would drink by themselves or in pairs, if not in a large group. Gently, Zelda placed the final pair of chairs against a corner before beginning to adjust their placement.
"No need to make anything perfect," Prima called out, listening to the sound of pegs rubbing against the floor. "Trust me, whatever you make look good will surely be ruined. Them being there is good enough."
"I see," Zelda mumbled, choosing to leave her work as it stood.
"You're working hard," Prima said cheerfully. "You always work hard, but you seem different today."
"You think so?" Zelda asked her as she adjusted the tables, unable to keep her perfectionist urges in check.
"You seem more… confident," she continued with a grin. "Especially with how nervous you've been the last couple of days. Something must have happened to put you in such a good mood."
"What? No," Zelda denied as her cheeks tingled and warmed with blush. "Nothing happened. At least, nothing major. I just had a little bit of help learning to balance from Link, that's all. I feel very prepared for tonight."
"Nothing major, hm?" teased Prima with a raised eyebrow. "Your face says otherwise."
"I said nothing happened!" Zelda said loudly as she straightened the chairs to the tables.
"Ah, she's feisty today," Prima said with a grin. "He must've really hit the right spots last night."
"Hit the right spots…" Zelda repeated, trying to understand what her employer was hinting at. Suddenly, the heat in her cheeks turned a fierce red. "He did not! Like I said, he simply helped me learn how to balance, though his methods were a bit… unusual. He… He turned down my offer to…"
Her voice began to trail off as her working hands began to slow down. After a few moments, she looked up to catch Prima's grin before realizing she had spoken that last part out loud.
"A-anyway! Like I said, nothing happened, so…" she continued in a less confident tone.
"I see," Prima nodded. "You know, if you need any tips, I'll happily be able to assist you."
"Tips on what exactly?" Zelda asked suspiciously.
"Getting him to accept that offer," Prima answered, causing her employee to flush with even more color.
"I… I–" Zelda stuttered before the creaking of the inn's double doors echoed through the inn.
"Hello?" a familiar voice called out. "Prima? Zelda? I've returned— with my dashing good looks— for this weekend!"
"I'm coming!" Zelda called out in response before quickly hurrying out the dining room.
"She got away again," Prima murmured to herself. "I swear, Link, what are you doing over there? Well… I guess the better question is actually what aren't you doing?"
While she remained in her thoughts with her drink preparations, in the other room Zelda hurried to the counter, where a silver-haired Hylian stood leaning against its surface.
"And there she is," he said with a grin at the sight of her. "Are you going to be the one checking me in?"
"I am, actually," Zelda said, pulling out the check-in sheet from under the desk. "It's good to see you again, Teli."
"You as well," Teli replied with a slight bow. "It's always a pleasure to see someone as beautiful as myself. Can I pay for the next two nights in advance? I'm sure Prima has already informed you on how these next two days usually go."
"She has, and I don't see why not. Would you like a regular bed or a soft one?" Zelda asked.
"You can give me a regular bed," Teli replied. "I need every rupee I can get for the number of drinks I'll be buying—"
"I hope you don't plan to go overboard like you usually do!" Prima yelled from the dining hall.
"I swear she hears everything that goes on in this building," he chuckled nervously, glancing back at the dining hall entrance before reaching into his backpack's side pouches. "Here you go, Zelda."
"Thank you," Zelda responded with a smile, taking the two red rupees he held out to her. "You're all set for the next couple of days."
"Why, thank you. I'm glad to see someone here has quality service," Teli laughed.
No more than a second later, Zelda saw a brown blur fly from out the dining room doorway. It struck Teli in the back of the head, who yelped and recoiled in pain before looking down at the object now bouncing and spinning on the floor.
"A mug?" Teli shouted back towards the door. "You threw a mug at me? It was a joke!"
"I found it funny, can't you tell?" Prima shouted back.
Grumbling, the traveler turned back to the front desk, rubbing the back of his head where the mug had struck him. Zelda smiled apologetically.
"A-are you alright?" she asked him.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," Teli muttered. "Curse that woman…"
"D-did you go to see Purah before you came here?" she asked, trying to divert his attention away from pain in the back of his head and the innkeeper in the dining hall.
"Hm? Oh, yeah I did actually," he replied. "Still small, though I'm not sure why I think that'll change every time I see her. I'm surprised she's decided to remain that size after so long. She says she'll change herself back soon, but something tells me she actually likes pretending to be a little girl."
"Well, Purah has always been quite a strange one," Zelda giggled. "Robbie too, for that matter. How is she?"
"She's fine, though she told me to smack Linky upside the head next time I see him, "he sighed. "Sending someone as dashing as me to do her dirty work should be a crime."
"Please don't actually hit him," Zelda said. "I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate it."
"Trust me, I wasn't planning on it," he said, shaking his head. "What, are you worried that I would hit him too hard?"
"I was more nervous about what he'd do to you if you tried," she said with a nervous smile.
"You and I both, I know what he can do," Teli chuckled as he adjusted the backpack straps on his shoulders. "I'll be upstairs—"
"Oh no you won't," Prima said, appearing in the dining hall doorway. "Since you're here early, you can help us set up."
"Me?" Teli complained. "But, I don't work here."
"With how much work you're going to give Zelda and me tonight, I'm sure someone as dashing as you wouldn't mind being of some use, right?" Prima shot back with a raised eyebrow. Teli clenched his teeth before sighing.
"Fine," he moaned. "Let me go put my bag up."
"That's the spirit," Prima smiled before turning to Zelda. "Can you wash any remaining dishes left around the inn? We'll need as many as we can get."
"Right away," Zelda replied with a quick and small bow.
With a nod, Prima disappeared back into the hall, while Teli groaned again as he headed up the staircase. With another small giggle, Zelda moved from behind the counter, ready to grab every dish she could find before pausing to glance at the staircase.
She called him Linky, she said internally before smiling. So she's forgiven him, even if only a little. That's good.
...
Though the sky was darkening above Hateno, it seemed as though the village itself was only just now waking up. Every house window remained illuminated just like the lamps and lanterns that lined the village pathways and bridges. With the sun going down, most farmers who usually still worked over the weekend had put their pitchforks away before heading off to wash their hands in preparation for the night ahead. Store clerks had already shut down shops for the weekend, opting to head straight towards the building that held the village's main event for the evening and the next: the Great Ton Pu Inn. One person, however, already stood at the inn's front staircase.
"Alright…" the large man said as he stared up at the inn's green doors above. "He may have been a jerk about it, but he's right… If I wanna make progress, I actually need to get to know her… "
"Manny! What are you doing over here?" a voice suddenly called out. Manny turned to see two farmers walking together toward him.
"Nack… Medda…" Manny said as the farmers stopped next to him. "You guys are going to be here tonight?"
"You sound surprised!" the one farmer named Medda laughed, rubbing his fingers through his wild spiky hair. "I visit here for a drink even during the week! I really should stop though, I think my daughter is starting to learn that it's a problem."
"Aster's growing up, isn' she?" the taller farmer named Nack mentioned as he adjusted his large straw hat. "You best start listening to your daughter if she's startin' to pick up on habits like that."
"Probably. I've seen your little tikes running around, and it looks like they're getting pretty big too," Medda laughed. "I've noticed your wife has been in a bit of a sour mood these past few weeks. They must be running her up the wall."
"Nope, it's not the kids that are bothering Nikki," Nack said with a sigh. "In fact, she's puttin' herself in a bad mood. I swear, she and Amira need to stop gossiping… I know for a fact those two will be here at the inn later tonight."
"The gossipers are going to be here?" Manny gulped.
"They're always here over the weekend, drinking Prima's wine and talking between themselves," Nack explained, "and I'm sure I know what they'll be talkin' about tonight…"
"The new girl, that princess one, right?" Medda asked. "I've overheard them whispering to themselves about her. She works here now, doesn't she?"
"She does," Nack murmured, adjusting his hat. "I hope she'll be alright…"
"Your wife?" Medda asked.
"No, I hope that princess will be alrigh'…" he clarified. "But, I guess we'll see what happens. I hope nothin' 'cause I really wanna enjoy my night tonight."
"You can't not want a beer after a hard day's work," Medda replied, stretching. "Speaking of which, Manny, you never join in the drinking fun. What are you planning to do in there?"
"I-I… Uh… Well…" Manny stuttered. "I was going to see… But, with Amira and Nikki there, it might not be—"
"Oh, you're going to try and speak to Prima!" Medda said loudly as the realization struck him. "I never thought you'd actually go for it! You were always out here pretending to watch people."
"Yeah, you've always been too afraid to go in there!" Nack laughed.
Suddenly, the two men put an arm around each of Manny's shoulders as they began guiding him up the stairs.
"W-wait, hold on, maybe I should go another—" he began to argue.
"Not this time, boy," Nack said firmly. "You already did step one and that was to come here. You best not lose your spirit!"
"B-but—" Manny began to argue again, but it was too late. The men had barged through the inn's great doors to reveal the open lobby. Though this room was empty, loud laughter and music could be heard from the dining hall, which brought a smile to both of the farmers.
"Looks like half the town is already here!" Medda laughed before playfully shouting, "hello? Can we get some service up here?"
"I'm coming!" a voice called out. In a matter of seconds, a blond, short-haired girl, dressed in similar clothing as the usual innkeeper that would serve them, appeared from the dining hall with a tray of mugs balanced easily in one hand. "Sorry for the wait! Are you three here for tonight's fun?"
"That we are!" Nack said cheerfully. "Good evening, Princess! Looks like you're handling our ruckus well!"
"It's fun to watch," Zelda said with a light giggle, "and please, just Zelda is fine. Hello, Manny. I didn't expect to see you here."
"I'm usually not," Manny said nervously, taking note of how cute she looked in her dress. Quickly shaking the thought away after remembering his goal he quietly added, "I'm here for a… reason. Is… Link here?"
"Link decided to stay home for the evening," Zelda answered. "I hope he wasn't the reason you came tonight."
"No, no! I need to stop relying on him anyway," Manny chuckled as beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
"Don't worry. He's got two wingmen right here," Medda laughed with his arm still around the younger Hylian as he shook him.
"Well, whatever it is, I wish you the best of luck," Zelda giggled. "Will any of you be staying the night tonight?"
"I will," Nack mentioned, reaching into one of his pockets. "I got a red with me— name's Nack in case you forgot."
"Thank you, and enjoy your stay!" the employee smiled, taking the rupee before hurrying to the counter. With a nod, the three headed to the dining hall, with Manny practically having to be dragged.
"Staying a night here, eh?" Medda laughed. "You must not want to see your wife afterward."
"And deal with her attitude when she gets a headache after the wine and gossip? No, sir," Nack said, shaking his head. "Trust me, she'd prefer I'd stay here regardless, so as to not piss her off myself."
"Sounds like Nikki," Meda continued. "Hopefully she and Amira don't give young Zelda too much trouble. She seems awfully nice… but, I guess we'll just have to see!"
The two farmers, dragging their third, squeezed through the dining hall doorway. Nack and Medda's grins grew larger, while Manny stared in awe at the sight. The hall was filled with almost everyone he knew from the village. Almost every chair was taken up by pairs and trios of men and women, with both holding beer-filled mugs that were being swung around in their hands. Laughter and yelling echoed, almost covering up the music that a few individuals were playing in the corner. The aroma of different dishes of freshly cooked food filled their nostrils, with the most delicious of them all coming from the cooking counter, where the usual innkeeper was busy at work, preparing not only the food she had cooked, but the drinks that were being served.
"Excuse me," Zelda's voice came again from behind them. Snapping out of his trance, Manny moved aside, allowing the small waitress to quickly move past him and back into the sea of excitement.
"For her first time, it's amazing she can stay so calm," Nack complimented, watching as she weaved through the crowd.
"She's impressive," Medda laughed. "Maybe you don't have anything to worry about, Nack. What's there for your wife to complain about?"
"I'm sure she'll find something, but ignoring that for now, let's find us and our boy here a seat!" he said excitedly.
The men began to push their way through the crowds themselves, doing their best to avoid the spilling ales and waving arms as they did. Finally, they found a table, where everyone sighed as they sat in their chairs.
"Is it always this crazy here over the weekend?" Manny asked, watching the sea of mugs and hands.
"It's actually quite calm right now," Nack laughed, adjusting his hat that had tipped over after the maneuvering they just had to do. "It'll pick up though when he arrives"
"He?" Manny repeated questioningly.
"You'll see," Medda said. "For now let's get us the first drink of the night! Order over here!"
"Yes!" Zelda yelled over the inn's laughter. With surprising speed and grace, she arrived at their table, still balancing the tray she had with ease. "What can I get you three?"
"I'll start small with a simple Hylian ale," Medda replied before looking over at Nack.
"I'll take an apple ale," he said. Both the farmers and Zelda looked over at Manny.
"Um… I guess a simple ale for me too?" he said unsurely. The waitress nodded.
"Then I'll be back in a moment's time!" she said with a smile before disappearing back into the madness.
"Wait, don't we have to pay for those?" Manny asked, but all he received was laughter once again.
"Trust us, Prima will make sure she keeps tabs on what was made and who drank it," Nack laughed. "No one escapes her tabs. Speakin' of her, what's your plan?"
"My plan?" Manny repeated.
"To speak to Prima, of course!" Medda continued. "That's what you came here for right?"
"W-well, yeah, but I wasn't expecting it to go this way though, nor did I…" he looked out into the drunken celebration, "realize how crazy it would be here."
"Just keep your head up, and your eyes peeled for Prima," Medda encouraged. "She's a crazy hard worker, but you may just catch her taking a quick break. Maybe."
Suddenly, Zelda returned, skillfully placing the drinks on the table before giving a quick bow and disappearing back into the mix.
"Trust me, she'll need at least a quick break," Nack said, taking his mug by the handle, "especially when—"
Suddenly, a loud pop echoed from the dining hall entrance, one that made Zelda almost drop her tray in surprise. The inn grew quiet as every head in the inn turned to see the origin of the interruption. Nack grinned when he saw the colorful cloud of confetti covering the doorway.
"Speak of the devil. He's here."
"Is that…?" Manny began, squinting to see if his eyes were deceiving him. Medda chuckled as he raised his mug to his lips.
"Yup."
From the cloud of confetti slowly stepped out a tall, lanky man. He was an older fellow dressed in a unique, vibrant blue jacket lined with yellow and brown striped fur. His bright pink baggy pants and rope that was wrapped around his balding head practically glowed against the brown color palette of the inn. Silently he glided across the room before stopping in the center, where he raised his arms above his head.
"I apologize deeply for the wait," he said soothingly, "but, now that I've arrived, the party will now… Begin!" With another loud pop, confetti burst from the man's sleeves, and a cheer erupted from the crowd.
"I… didn't realize Bolson was a drinker…" Manny said, watching as Bolson quickly downed wine given to him by Zelda before beginning to dance to the quickened music.
"You know Bolson has to be the life of the party," Medda said, slamming down his empty mug. "Hey, Zelda! I need another ale over here!"
"Coming!" Zelda could be heard over the booming cheers that had increased since Bolson's arrival.
"Make that two more!" Nack yelled, slamming his mug down onto the table.
"A-already?" Manny stuttered in surprise.
"You better keep up lad!" Nack laughed heartily as Zelda took away the empty mugs. "Don't be so surprised! This is the fun of it!"
The moment she returned with freshly filled mugs, the two farmers—with their cheeks now red— raised their mugs in a toast.
"To Hateno!" they roared.
"Wait… You guys are drinking pretty fast… Weren't you two supposed to be helping me with—?" Manny began, yet the two raised their mugs again.
"To farming!"
While the three continued their drinking fun, from across the room Prima, whose hands were still quickly at work, was carefully observing.
"Bolson…" she mumbled under her breath. "I said no confetti… I'm the one who ends up having to clean it every night you do that…"
"Prima!" a voice called out. Calmly, Prima looked over to see Zelda hurrying towards her with a tray full of empty mugs. "Teli wants another wildberry ale, Koyin wants a few rice balls to go with his beer, and Bolson already wants another wine."
"That Bolson," she sighed tiredly, though, to Zelda's surprise, her hands only began to move quicker. "Here. A plate of rice balls, wine, and a wildberry beer."
"Thank you!" Zelda said quickly before disappearing back into the mass.
She's doing well, Prima said to herself. If I hadn't gotten to know her these days, I wouldn't be able to tell that she was having a hard time keeping up. But, all that matters is that she is keeping up.
"Check-in please!" a voice called from the lobby.
"Coming!" Zelda's voice called back.
That sounded like Dantz, Prima continued to herself. That should be the usual crowd… all except those two—
"H-hey, Prima," a voice said behind her. She sighed.
"Hello, Manny," she said without turning back to look at him. "I didn't expect to see you here during drinking hours. You never came before."
"I t-thought maybe I'd give it a chance, y-you know?" he stuttered out. "I'm surprised you can keep up with it all."
"Well, it's a gift, but as you can see, I'm a bit busy because of it," she continued professionally. "If you need another drink just tell me what you want, but next time you should ask Zelda—"
"I actually just wanted to, uh, say hi. That's all," he said, trying to keep his composure. "Just felt like conversing a little bit—"
"While I'm working?" Prima asked, allowing a bit of annoyance to fill her tone. "The only conversation I've truly had with you doesn't even start with you talking. They start with you sending me crickets, delivered to me by someone else, mind you. It's also something I don't appreciate."
"I… Y-yeah, s-sorry about that," Manny said, "but, that's why I came. I… I wanted to… start fresh…"
"And you chose to do that during the busiest day of the week for me?" Prima scolded. Manny felt his throat dry up. Before he could respond, Zelda appeared once more.
"Dantz said he wants his usual and Sheldon wants another Tabantha ale!"
Without even looking at Zelda's tray, Prima had set a mug of beer and ale on its surface.
So prepared, Manny thought as the waitress hurried back into the mix.
"Y-you're really good at that—" he began to say, yet, for the first time, Prima finally looked back.
"Look, Manny, I appreciate it," she said sternly, "but, I need to focus right now. Here, take this and go back to your table. It's on me, don't worry about it."
She shoved an ale into Manny's hands before turning back to the counter. Discouraged, he walked away with the mug in hand. With a sigh, he sat back down at the table, where Nack and Medda were swaying in their seats with reddened cheeks.
"Look at Bolson go!" Medda laughed as he pointed an uneven finger towards the now dancing retired carpenter. "He's got moves— Oh, Manny, you're back. How did it—hic— go with Prima?"
"It went great," Manny said sarcastically before chugging his ale. With a loud sigh, he too slammed his mug down as his cheeks grew red. "She gave me free ale."
"Hey! That's something!" Nack laughed. "Don' worry about it. It'll take— hic— time! During that time though, how about we get a game of cards goin'? I got a set of cards in my pocket."
"Of course, we're playing!" Medda roared before looking at Manny with pressuring eyes. The young Hylian sighed.
"I'm in," he said, allowing the disappointment in his voice to carry.
As the trio began to play a game of cards at the table they sat at, Zelda looked around for any others that needed her, yet it seemed as though everyone now had more food than drinks. With a sigh, she walked back over to Prima, who had started to slow down her meal preparation.
"This really is something to experience," Zelda said, wiping sweat away from her forehead. "It's nice to see just how close the people in this town are. I'm a bit envious actually… and a bit…"
"Overwhelmed?" Prima finished as she raised an eyebrow towards her.
"A bit, but not as much as I thought I'd be," she answered, looking back at the town with a smile. "If it weren't for Link though, I would be a bit worse off. I guess he's really loosened me up."
"Don't think I forgot about it earlier," the innkeeper said, smirking at that last comment."I promise you I'll hear more about this relationship of yours."
"And I promise you there's nothing much to hear," Zelda huffed as her ears grew red.
"Is that something you should be proud of?" Prima asked. Her employee paused for a moment before frowning.
"M-maybe not…" she said quietly, barely allowing her to hear her words. "I guess… Things are a bit… slow. Link even mentioned it— and blamed— himself."
"Really?" Prima wondered out loud as her interest peaked. "Well then, I say— Hold that thought..."
Prima squinted her eyes as she glanced over at the dining hall doorway. Suddenly, she groaned.
"Heads up, those two are here."
"Those two?" Zelda repeated before catching what Prima was looking at. "O-oh…"
Standing in the doorway were two older women, ones that were instantly recognized as the gossipers of the town. Zelda couldn't help but lose a bit of confidence in her heart. She knew exactly what Amira and Nikki thought of her, and it wasn't exactly a secret that she was working here at the inn. She took a step back.
"Prima… Those two don't like me very much," Zelda said carefully. "I-I'm not sure if I should be the one to—"
"You have to serve them just like everyone else, Zelda," she said, beginning to prepare two glasses of wine for their new visitors. "If anything, you not serving them would give them more to gossip about, wouldn't it?"
Zelda groaned, unable to combat her boss's argument.
"I know it's tough, but trust me, I had to go through those two a few times as well," she continued. "Everyone has. You're going to have to serve them eventually if you're going to work here."
As she continued working, she gave her a nervous grin before tilting her head towards the doorway. Reluctantly, the employee moved forward. Weaving through the crowds, she stopped in front of the two ladies before giving a small curtsey.
"Welcome back to the inn for the weekend," she greeted as warmly as she could. "Were either of you considering staying here for the night?"
She looked up to meet the lady's eyes. This was the first time she had actually been close enough to them to properly make out their features. The first lady was rather thin, with her curly hair tied into a very loose bun on the back of her head. As usual, she wore a simple green dress with a red sash and a few very simple gold ornaments that decorated it. The second woman was noticeably pudgier than her friend, with a noticeably smaller face and free-flowing hair that went down to her shoulders. While her dress was a bit more plain, a brown one with a simple white sash, she had a bag that seemed to be filled with whatever it was she liked to carry around on her belt.
"I'm surprised you haven't been informed that we usually don't spend the night here," the larger woman said with the slightest scoff. "I wonder if it's Prima's teachings to blame, or something else."
"I apologize," Zelda said with a smile, though she couldn't help but bite the inside of her mouth. "Prima is already preparing your usual. Please enjoy your time until they are ready."
"Oi! Another round over here!" a voice suddenly called.
"Right away!" Zelda called back, thankful for any reason to escape the gossiper's stares. As she disappeared into the crowd, the thin lady huffed.
"Knowing Prima, she probably didn't tell that princess that we don't usually stay. There was no reason to bother us at all yet," she complained.
"She probably just wanted to make her presence known," the larger lady muttered. "Did you see that smile? It had to be fake, trying to hide whatever elitism is inside of her. Looks like our usual table is free. Shall we, Amira?"
Carefully, Amira and Nikki made their way through the partying inn before taking their usual seats at a table in the corner.
"Good thing the regular drunks have learned where our usual spot is," Amira said, adjusting herself in her seat. "Though I swear, it's always a bit loud here."
"You can blame that carpenter for that," Nikki said, glancing her small eyes over at the brightly dressed dancing man. "He's so strange. Do you see the way he's dressed? I would have thought after all this time he would have finally changed."
"You would think," Amira said, glancing over at Bolson herself. "No man should be wearing colors like that; if anyone should be wearing clothes like those at all. Ugh, and the way he dances."
"Speaking of his dance, did you know he's starting to imprint on the children?" Nikki asked.
"No! Really?" Amira asked, leaning in closer.
"Medda's daughter, Aster, I've seen her doing that little dance of his," Nikki explained, leaning in just like her friend.
"Such a poor influence," Amira said, shaking her head. "It's no wonder no one buys those strange-looking houses on top of the hill."
"Well, apparently there's a town full of them north of here. Tarrey Town, it's called," Nikki said. "It must be full of weirdos if they choose to live in buildings like that. In fact, they are the reason we know that she's here."
The two shook their heads disapprovingly before looking out into the crowd.
"Ah, there's my husband making a fool of himself with Medda," Nikki suddenly groaned. "He best should know not to come home if he's going to get that drunk… Hm? Looks like Manny is here, as well."
"Manny?" Amira repeated, squinting her eyes to see the larger young Hylian sitting at the table with Nikki's husband. "That overgrown child? He needs to get a job now that he's over drinking age instead of playing pretend in front of the inn."
"I know, does he help with any of the farming?" Nikki asked, and Amira shook her head.
"I've never once seen him do any work around here. He's just like that Link: always in town, but never bothers to help with farming or hunting food, even during the winter."
"Right? All Link does is wander around these days and play with the children as if he were one himself," Amira said. "At least before he was traveling. Now he's just here wasting away. He always looks so distant, though maybe that's a good thing. He's a lot calmer now and not making as much of a ruckus."
"He became that way after she started living with him," Nikki mentioned. "She must not be taking very good care of him. Maybe she's just using him for his sword. What else would a so-called princess be doing mingling with someone other than that?"
Suddenly, Zelda appeared at the table side with a couple of wine glasses on her tray.
"From Prima," she said simply before giving a quick bow and walking away. The ladies scoffed.
"Look at her, serving people with such a fake smile," Amira bad-mouthed, taking a wine glass for herself. "She really thinks she can be one of us? We, who have been working hard to stay alive and well? She can't possibly be a real princess if she's okay staying here with normal folk."
"According to Mayor Reede, it's true," Nikki said before taking a sip of her own glass. "He got confirmation from Impa of Kakariko."
"And we should just take her word for it?" Amira asked. "We shouldn't trust those Sheikah. They rarely ever leave that village of theirs, and what about their cousins? Those evil Yiga? I'm sorry, but I can't take anything they say at face value."
"Usually, I'm with you, but they say Impa was one of the ones that actually were there back when the kingdom was still standing," Nikki said. "We have to take her word regarding that girl."
"Then that only proves my point," Amira scoffed. "Why would a princess like her want to be here in Hateno of all places? Why not go back to that castle of hers? And why work?"
"You know very well why," Nikki said quietly. "She's luring us into a false sense of security. Fake smile, fake work ethic… She just wants this village to herself, as if we are still her people. It's all a facade, and I bet that— Hey!"
She reached a hand out, bringing Zelda— who had been walking by—to a stop.
"Bring us another couple of glasses for the two of us!" Nikki demanded before turning her attention back to her friend.
"Of course," Zelda answered, despite knowing the woman wasn't paying her any mind. Shaking her head, she headed back to Prima while thinking, this suddenly got a lot more challenging…
...
Over the course of a few hours, the night continued just as it had been, and after a number of wine glasses, both Amira and Nikki's cheeks had started to grow red.
"Where is that girl?" Amira asked sourly. "I thought we had asked for more drinks?"
"Maybe it was that princess… Maybe she stopped Prima from—Oh— It looks like Prima just finished them. Zelda will be heading this way soon," Nikki answered.
Amira paused for a moment before muttering, "good."
"Good?" Nikki asked, noticing the grin on her friend's face.
"Yes, good. Let's see just how kind this princess is," she said devilishly. "One wrong move and I'm sure that facade of her will come crashing down to reveal that self-imposed importance she has. Nikki, how drunk is your husband?"
"He must be wasted right about now," Nikki answered. Amira grinned.
"Call him over, please," Amira requested. With a nod, her friend stood.
"Nack!" she yelled over the crowd. "Nack! I see you over there, come here! Now!"
From across the room, Nack, who was deep into a card game and doing his best not to fall out of his chair, looked up to see his wife waving him over. With noticeable disappointment, he leaned over and said something to Medda and Manny—both looking just as gone as he was— before standing. He began to stumble through the crowd, bumping into tables and people, all of whom didn't seem to mind because of their own alcohol consumption, before stopping in front of the gossiper's table.
"Wha— What is it you… you want, dear?" he managed to ask before leaning against the table side.
"I want to know why you're drinking so much," she asked, taking a hint from Amira to keep him talking.
"What do you— hic— mean? It's drinkin' weekend, Nikki," he argued. "Of course, I'm gonna… gonna…. Ima have a drink!"
As the two continued their banter, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Zelda heading through the crowd towards their table, balancing a tray of wine glasses in her hand. Just before she could arrive, however, Amira allied out to Nack.
"Move back, Nack!" she said in an almost angry tone. "You're in the way of dear Zelda coming!"
"O-oh… Wha'?" the man slurred. "Where…? I best… Um… I'll—I'll move—"
Nack, listening to Amira's orders, took a step back, slamming right into Zelda who hadn't expected him to move. She stumbled as the glasses shook from the loss of balance, yet, surprisingly she remained upright and caught herself on the table edge with her free hand while still keeping the glasses safe. Amira furrowed her brow.
"Z-Zelda, so… sorry there—hic—Zelda," Nack tried to apologize, trying to sober up.
Come on, show us your true colors, Amira commanded internally, watching as the waitress adjusted herself. To her frustration, Zelda simply smiled.
"No, I apologize, Nack," she said understandingly. "I was moving a bit too fast there. Thankfully the drinks are safe. Here you both go…"
As carefully as she could, with Nack now taking a few wobbly steps back, she took drinks off her tray and placed them on the edge of the table. With a bow, she began to turn away, yet Nikki just barely moved her foot.
"Watch it!" she yelled as Zelda tripped over.
She crashed to the ground, yelping in pain as the tray clattered away. With a groan, she began to push herself to her knees, but before she could get any further off the ground, Amira gently tapped on her wine glass at the end of the table.
"Oops," she said quietly, watching as the glass tipped over. Wine splashed onto Zelda's dress and hair, while the glass itself shattered on the ground next to her. "Now look at what you did. You ruined our drinks and almost dirtied us!"
Zelda didn't respond, choosing to stay on the ground in silence. Amira and Nikki both smirked to themselves.
"W-what… what happened here?" Nack asked, just now processing that the waitress was on the ground.
"She ruined one of our drinks, Nack," Nikki said. "Can you believe that?"
"O-oh… Is she alrigh'?" he asked, looking down at Zelda. Nikki huffed.
"Go away. Go back to your table," she said, clearly annoyed. Complying, Nack wobbled away. After another few moments, Zelda stood with her back to the table.
Here it is, Amira thought. Now she'll really show her true self. Show us how narcissistic you actually are. Then we'll get on Prima for ever hiring you. She should have known you'd be a nuisance to our night.
After another short pause, the waitress turned, but instead of the rageful face the two ladies expected to see, it was the same, kind smile from before.
"I deeply apologize," she said with another bow, ignoring the purple liquid that dripped from her hair. "I will get you another drink and clean the glass shards. Please be mindful of where you step until then."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving the two women to growl between themselves.
"It's fine," Nikki said. "We'll just have to get her tomorrow… The drinking weekend isn't over yet…"
"Agreed," Amira said. "No one is that nice. No one, and especially not a princess."
From across the room, Zelda appeared at Prima's side after weaving her way through the mass.
"I need another wine glass, and while you prepare that, I need to get a broom. There was a little accident," she said simply.
"An accident?" Prima asked, turning to look at Zelda. "What— Zelda, what happened to you?"
"I simply lost my balance," she answered, as Prima inspected the stains and her now purple hair.
"No, that can't be right, you were doing just fine all night—" Prima began to argue worriedly, yet Zelda simply shook her head.
"I lost my balance," she said again. "That is all. I just need another wine glass for Amira. I'll be back in a moment to get that. If you'll excuse me."
With a bow, she hurried out of the dining hall to grab a broom. With a furrowed brow, Prima glanced over at the two ladies on the other end of the room.
"For Amira, hm? I wonder…"