A Week Later

It was time to do it all again.

A famous philosopher had proclaimed this to be insanity: the art of trying the same thing continuously and expecting a different result. And here was Patisse, going to yet another embassy meeting. If he had been demoralized before, it was next to nothing now; this job had been so promising at first, but it now felt like a slog, and he was beginning to wonder if Saezuri would welcome him back at the general store. At least there, people would be nice.

It didn't help matters either that Pat was now harboring a severe lack of sleep, brought on by continuous nightmarish dreams of the world razed by the Great Calamity. He'd watched not only his own death several times at this rate, but also the gruesome ends of Top, Geiha, and Stelli (he had learned the lattermost's name when it had luckily been brought up through conversation). Sure, they were far from friendly to him, but they were still people Pat actually knew, which was scarring enough. These visions, along with the stacking responsibilities and displeasure of almost everyone, grew onerous, but he attempted to keep trucking forward to prevent disaster. A lot of people had and were trusting him to do this.

Patisse took to the hall once more, trudging on the once soft and pleasant carpet. Tonight's escapade had been exceptionally bad, and he was as groggy as could be. Not even a sugary dessert in place of breakfast had brightened his spirits. He was so tired that he hardly noticed the impending attack.

The Rito felt something suddenly dive at his legs, which caused them to give out, launching him beak-first into the floor. Being tall made falling all the worse, and this was no different. It bloody hurt. His guard was already shattered, and now any attempt to get up was futile. Just get it over with. Hardly anyone's going to care, and I can't possibly fight back.

"Oh, stop it you! Come back here!" Or...never mind.

The egg whistled cheerily as footsteps clambered around, no doubt attempting to catch it. Pat would have smiled at these antics, had he not been feeling so miserable. "Oh dear! I'm so very sorry," came Zelda's voice again. Her dainty, cold hands softly grasped his wing, and the princess pulled him back up.

Patisse thanked her, shaking himself out and making sure his feathers were aligned. At the very least, his beak hadn't started bleeding. The miniature Guardian made a second attempt at him as it was being pursued by Link and Impa, but this was dodged.

"But Your Highness, by all means, I am at fault. I was far from looking where I was going..."

"Nonsense. Without this rapscallion moving about, you wouldn't have had any reason to."

Finally, Zelda's advisor made a chaotic dive, and snagged the egg. It chirped in protest, wiggling like a small child who did not want to go to bed.

"Goodness. What's gotten into it?" Impa brought it over once it was more calm.

"I think," she said. "It's happy to see you." Very curious, Pat slowly extended a wing. The Guardian in turn put out one of its spider-like appendages, brushing his feathers and emitting a peaceful whirring. Most unusual. I must be special...but how?

Suddenly, as if reacting, the egg let out a loud, four-note tone. It had a rather...cheery mood. Magically, Patisse felt a little better. Like some form of gloom had left his soul.

"Hm. Thank you. ...I mustn't be late. Princess. Impa, Link." He nodded respectfully to each, and strode off with a smile.

The Rito entered the next hall with a brisk step; he had lost the slouch that had developed over the previous week or so. Puzzled by himself, Pat wondered if that Guardian had some form of ability. If so, what had it done? His thoughts were interrupted as someone suddenly streamed out of a room further ahead in the passage.

Stelli?

She was frantic, and Pat's new rosiness was replaced with worry. The sky blue Zora spotted him.

"Patisse!" It—it was the first time she had addressed him by name. Ignoring the foolish chest butterflies beginning to flutter, it was clear this was a dire situation. She was actually running towards him, which was somewhat looked down upon when in the castle. To shorten the distance, he hastened as well.

"What's going on? What's the matte—"

His heart briefly froze as Stelli gave him a hug.

By all accounts, it didn't make sense. Up until today, it was nothing but angry glares and murmurs, from everyone really; this was a drastic step in personal connection. Heck, he hadn't even gotten a smile, and now the aquatic ambassador was rubbing her patterned, cuttlefish-shaped head into his soft tan feathers. It was also a lot more awkward, considering how low she was.

"I'm so very sorry..." Stelli whispered, her warm breath getting through to Pat's skin. F-for what? He was nearly paralyzed, but not like with Urbosa several days ago.

After a moment passed of weirdly intimate cuddling, the Zora gasped, and tore away with a grimace. "Oh dear!—I must have forgotten myself. Sorry again. That was surely uncomfortable..." Pat was unsure whether to say no and sound like a creep, or agree and be rude. "It's simply, I had an awakening just now, and...oh, it's easier if we just go see the others."

As swiftly as she had arrived, Stelli was off in a flash, leaving Patisse dazed and confused. Hopefully his blush didn't show. It must have been the Guardian...but how? Why?

With a deep exhale, Patisse resumed walking. It was odd that the room he'd been given and the meeting place for the embassy were so far apart. Stelli had implied the others felt a similar change in attitude, and he was pondering what was awaiting. While it was only a week, he had gotten used to being looked down upon, despite being the tallest among them. Did they see the light or something? I don't think I've been rude...what caused such distrust in the first place? He shuddered at the thought of Top attempting to give him a hug.

Finally, Pat arrived at the closed embassy door. There was nervous murmuring coming from behind. He shot a curious look at a guard who was stationed nearby, and they shrugged in return. May as well. Now or never. He pushed it open.

Immediately, the Rito was met with quite the sight. The table had been rearranged; the three other members were all sitting on one side, and a single chair was left for him on the other.

"Have a seat," Geiha said, flat and cold. He complied, running through his self-defense strategies. Everyone sat in a stare down for an uncomfortable amount of time. The lights were dim, and the air sickeningly humid. Pat could feel himself starting to perspire. The expressionless faces of his peers were not quite helpful either.

After what felt like an hour, Topado spoke up.

"Look, Pat, we...um." This was weird. He's normally so much more assertive. The Goron actually rubbed the back of his neck(?) as though he were embarrassed. "About this past week or so. We—well—"

"We would like to apologize!" Stelli suddenly blurted, with a crestfallen expression of regret and a surprising amount of similar emotion in her gentle voice. Pat got the sense that she wasn't very well guarded socially, and was prone to letting everything bleed through—

Wait. Apologize?

"That's right," Geiha added, shifting uncomfortably in her chair and likely shaken by the fact that she was wrong about something. It was the first time the seductress had shown a shred of kindness in any regard. "To be brutally honest, we've been awful to you these last few days. I hope it isn't anything irreparable."

I mean...okay. Patisse had never been good at holding grudges. He was meant to be a diplomat after all. (Diplomacy literally means handling internal relationships tactfully and well). However, a massive question loomed and plagued his mind, and pretty much everyone was probably expecting it.

"Well, yeah! Sure. You guys are fine, so long as that doesn't resume. My forgiveness capacity is fairly expansive. I've been given a lot of second chances, so I'm repaying that. Just...like...why? Did I offend anyone? Was I—Am I doing something wrong? I know tall people can seem imposing, but I really try to be a nice guy." Top cringed.

"See, that's—the worst part. That's what has me feeling the worst about this. It's not you. ...It's cause you're a Rito."

So...they were...racist? That didn't sound right. Species-ist? But, hello, ambassadors?!Their whole job is discussing with other groups. It just didn't compute.

Awkward silence came again. Pat was awaiting further explanation. Stelli stared at the floor, looking miserable. The Goron and Gerudo members shared a glance, and the latter finally took a deep breath.

"Patisse, I don't think anyone's told you. There's...a rough history with the Rito embassy. Everything just seems to go wrong. So many ambassadors have come and gone, and there's just been a lot of issues. A majority went inexplicably mental, ranting about hideous death, and then either vanished or were found dead by their own hands." Those nightmares...any time longer than that, and I may have very well been such. But committing suicide!.. "A select few that didn't turn to insanity just became irritable and too argumentative, and were removed from power by the higher-ups. Some, including the most recent before you, who all three of us knew...have been assassinated." A cold chill ran up the Rito's spine. This couldn't be explained by coincidence. Something was out to cripple the interracial relations with the avian people. To start war? Personal gain? He would have to be much more careful around the castle now.

Stelli must have regained enough composure to speak up.

"Pat, we—I—made a bad mistake. I was really hurt mentally when Kaiugi was killed. But I didn't try to avenge her. I just moped around and kept slugging through the days. I also knew a replacement would arrive soon, and well...I brought everyone on to my stupid idea. I figured—sniff—I..." Aw, the poor thing was crying. Whether from memories of this Kaiugi, or her regret of right now, it was just a few spare tears. Her right hand was extended, out on the table. His head argued for a brief moment, saying it would be kind, but also retorting that it would be too strong of an advance. However, he gained a bite of confidence as Top patted the quaking Zora on the shoulder, sign enough that it was okay to do this.

Thanks for long wings.

His heart was beating impeccably quick. The giant carefully reached out and wrapped his feathers softly around her claws, feeling the smooth blue scales as gently as he knew how. Stelli gave a silent gasp, moist yet beautiful blue eyes glimmering—either naturally or from reflections of the small droplets. "I-it's my fault," she continued, accepting his touch and giving his wing a little squeeze. Heat rose to Pat's face in spite of what she was saying. "I committed myself to the thought that I shouldn't get attached to the replacement, lest I feel such pain again...but that backfired. I tried to go even further, be rude to you entirely, but—just recently, I realized what I was doing."

Pat swallowed. It made a lot of sense. He couldn't blame them. Geiha cleared her throat, expression surprisingly regretful.

"Right. We figured out that if we weren't welcoming, if we shut newcomers out, we would simply be adding onto the issues that made them vanish as they did. ...For which reason, we can also thank you that you stuck it out and put up with us." The Rito gave a relaxed shrug, backing off from Stelli once her blood flow calmed and breathing regulated.

"Oh, it's only been a week. You guys are acting like this is such a big deal." He nearly squawked as Top's rocky blackish fist came down on the table.

"It is quite a big deal! While the three of us have been here, we've lost one. And we aren't letting that number climb." The pecan-and-crimson feathered bird was unsure how to feel. Thankful? Honored? Worried? He had other people, who weren't blood family, caring about him. ...It was a first.

He crossed his legs, leaning back, as quiet returned again in all its ugliness. A fly buzzed somewhere. The clanking boots of a guard patrol passed by outside. He glanced at the clock—meeting time was almost over.

"...What happens now?" Top grunted in response, sinking into his 'thinking pose': stubby, blocky feet on the table, right hand on left shoulder, left hand atop his head. Then, an answer.

"We can't talk to other people about this; they'd either not get it or think you were dangerous and get you out. So we'll have to up security ourselves. You got any attachments to the old room?"

"It's homey, but the bed's too small. I don't mind a thing."

"Then you're going to stay with one of us." Ok, now maybe I do mind something. Top was like a rowdy college roommate, the grumpy kind, which would never do. Sleeping around Geiha seemed like a death wish; any man stepping inside her room was going to have something done to him. With Stelli—that would just be very awkward, though maybe only to him. And of course...

"I'll house you!" The Zora piped up, voice cracking slightly. "If, if you don't mind. I started this mess, so I owe you the most. Maybe not much to offer in terms of defense, but another person is always better than alone." He returned a small smile, thoughts racing. Their bond was growing closer, but if someone really was out to get him, wouldn't it be worse for Stelli if they inevitably did? Losing a friend was hard, but losing a roommate made you notice their absence all the more. —What would they say to anyone who noticed them in the same bedroom?

"Thank you. A lot. ...If you're absolutely sure, then I'll take the offer." She breathed a sigh of relief. Man. I've never met someone so...open. There's no tact. Perhaps I should ask about it later. The clock sounded, echoing a little. It was around mid-afternoon. How did time pass so fast? I didn't think we were in here for that long.

He shared glances with the embassy, unused to them being returned. Pat coughed, not sickly but in an awkward manner. "Well. Um. I'll see you guys later? Unless...do we—do things?" Geiha chuckled at his uncertainty, a rare and frightfully throaty sound.

"Not today, chicken." Wait. That's what Urbosa—don't tell me that's getting around. "But if you're going to be part of the family, expect some...extracurricular activity." She winked, and he hid a shiver, glancing away in an attempt to turn down. "Meeting adjourned." The Gerudo stood and approached the door with an uncomfortable amount of hip swaying. "Good luck boarding, you two..."

Pat waited until earshot had been left, and breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Geez. Don't tell me she's always been like that." Top got up and rested a hand on the tall Rito's shoulder pityingly.

"Sorry to tell you, but once Geiha sets her sights on you, she won't stop coming at you until something happens. —There's a long-standing theory that she has a list that tallies every man she's ever coerced. It's like a game for her."

"Oh, I'm sure that's not true," Stelli tried, with an amount of conviction that proved everyone knew it was. Pat swallowed, realizing that he now had multiple things to watch out for amidst daily life.

The Goron ambassador had left muttering to himself, and all of a sudden, Patisse was alone with his crush. (Purely small and baseless, by the way!)

Stelli had seemingly moved on from her memories, and was now quite bubbly.

"I'll be honest, I'm a little nervous, hehe... I've been told I'm not the most suitable of a roommate." He put on a guise of nonchalance, suppressing another blush.

"We all have our quirks. No worries." The Zora abruptly sprang from her chair, hands clasped. Seeing her so happy gave Pat a little surge of his own joy.

"Then let me give you the tour! I wasn't expecting anyone to come by, but what does it matter if things are a little lived in?" Her cuttlefish membrane wriggled alongside the gentle jingles of jewelry, making him wonder if it was controllable like a Hylian's ears were, or was perhaps just a side-effect of her merriment. Together, they left the embassy room.

The guard who had shrugged earlier noticed him with Stelli, and gave a thumbs-up with sly eyes. Oh great. It's starting already. Maybe people are just starved for gossip around here. Perhaps it was the case that Pat wasn't the only one who had something. ...He couldn't blame people for noticing someone so well-proportioned and majestic.

The Rito decided to strafe a small bit away as they walked to avoid any further misconceptions, despite his desires requesting to stay close to her. He'd always been good at self-restraint—another quality that likely made well for a chargé.

However, Stelli had to make that difficult. Evidently, she was not so talented in holding herself back.

She suddenly stopped along their way, and Pat felt something grip his wing.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't contain myself. I'm a little bit of a curious spirit, and I have never been so close to a male Rito's anatomy before. Such firm physique!.. Is it true your flying muscles are significantly stronger than females? Or is this because you're so tall?" He hadn't quite taken her to be a scientist, or at the very least someone interested in nature, but that wasn't very important at the moment. She was feeling around his muscles—which was very awkward...in the middle of the hall.

Panic shot through Pat's being, along with other less important feelings.

"H-hey, uhhh now might not be the time for..."

"Oh, don't be so shy! If we're going to live together, we should get to know each other better!" Don't phrase it like that! He was internally screaming, but stupidly couldn't pull away. There was just no modesty! No tact, no public common sense, no regard for anything—heck, she may as well just pull his clothes off! It made him uncomfortable! It made him queasy, alongside the unusual happiness arising from her touch! It made him freak out! It—

Made him notice the Champions turn the corner.

Oops! Hehe. Next installment is going to have more cute teasing stuff, cause I just be like that. But outside of fluff, it seems we now know what's going on in the grander scheme...What do you think?