Disclaimer the legend of Zelda is owned by Nintendo I am merely telling a story inspired by their characters and all rights belong to their individual owners. This story is as always intended for others who have played and enjoyed the games.
Gigantic Optimism Chapter XXII The Dragon Rest Date
Drawing her arm gently around his waist Sidon places a guiding hand on her shoulder and they stroll down the elevated bridges that form an unconventional lane. The buildings were spaced further apart than Sidon had expected there was plenty of room to expand the settlement further. He also loved how new everything looked some of the roads are still covered in sawdust.
Karlovaa is surprised to see so many zora it explained why the Domain had seemed so empty on her last visit. Slowly her mood improved there was so much going on everywhere they turn a Rito seems to be dancing, performing aerial maneuvers or cavorting in some way. "Thank you for bringing me here it has been a while since I have seen a crowd." "Not since your last race think of this as a race you get to watch for once, enjoy being part of the crowd." Karlovaa pointedly avoids looking at the prince sure his goofy grin was back. A few of the zora that pass bow to Sidon this is the first time Karlovaa remembers seeing other zora reverently cater to him. "I need to make sure he enjoys this as well" Spotting a carnival game the researcher pulls ahead of Sidon laughing as he gives chase all the way to an archery booth where the targets were zipping by rapidly in a blur of motion.
Shooting target after target is a violet colored male Rito clad in a blue champions tunic it was obvious this was the best archer of the Rito as if the ridiculous amount of bullseyes had left any doubt about the truth of that observation. Physically he was even broader than the two who had carried Sidon to town. His wingspan the longest of any Rito she had seen, his head covered in an array of glittering beads he was as much of a dandy as he was a warrior. Sidon had never taken his eye off the shooting having only stepped down from Champion duties this year Sidon knows this particular Rito the best out of the many he is acquainted with. The machine slowly clatters to a stop so the attendant, a Rito with a reedy build can collect the arrows. "Fire it up again I want my friend here to go a round let's see if he can shoot as well as he hurls boulders." Giggling at his own joke he lays the bow down on the counter. Before coming to introduce himself with a roguish shake of the head and a small flourish. "You never told me he was so big he looks like a goron with wings." Sidon laughs at the whispered familiar description Karlovaa had offered grasping the Rito's hand Sidon says, "Karlovaa I would like you to meet Vestus champion of the rito and unofficial part time mayor of Dragon's Rest."
"Aww, so this is the rare desert bloom that, prompted your retirement, all Dorodo said in his report was that you were taking the throne soon. But I knew there was some other reason because you never showed any interest in the throne before. I mean, you have been on the job longer than I have been alive. When I retire as champion it will strictly be to run Dragon Rest of course." There was a twinkle deep in the iris in his tawny eye that was his equivalent to a bawdy wink. "No one will believe you either, word always spreads about these things." Sidon agrees good naturedly. Vestus turns to his former coworker, coaxing him with incessant needling about his bow skill. Karlovaa is occupied with how efficient the Gerudo rumor mill was , reminiscing about its proclamation of her and Sidon's relationship before they were even an item. "Dear, was there anything else you wanted to do? I do not have to compete with master Beads here if you do not wish it." "Oh no this will not take long and Vestus paid for the game go ahead. Show him, how it's done!" Confidently grabbing the bow and quiver Sidon knocks an arrow and nods to the attendant the machine whirs to life Sidon lets fly six arrows…. Which all fall embarrassingly short of the target. Vestus covers his beak restraining his laugh through the whole ordeal when the quiver is mercifully empty the champion gives a good facsimile of the ideal sporting winner. "Tonight your mind is occupied I doubt I could focus with a fine lady on my arm either, set up another round I need to give a demonstration for my friend here!
Karlovaa is shocked yet, she knows what flaw led to the prince's abysmal showing he never let the arrow reach full draw, while not an accomplished archer she is familiar with the basics from her year of military service. Sidon had never lacked the power to hit the target, nor the accuracy required he simply was not patient enough. These thoughts all take place in the span of time it takes Sidon to stroll red faced towards the off- duty researcher. "You tried and did not hesitate I know a lot of people would have been to afraid to do it, If you can teach me how to swim you can do anything." For her kind words Karlovaa receives a hug and a quick peck on the forehead "I am still working on that when you can do more than doggy paddle then we have succeeded" over Sidon's considerable shoulder she sees the last person she expects to be there.
Or at least it could be that particular Gerudo, it is hard to tell with her blue veil obscuring her face. The veil completes a traditional ceremonial garb of the Gerudo a yellow sash over beige pants and the usual vest and top combo. With some gaudy bracelets that were surely too expensive for her associate to own it must bbe a case of mistaken identity untill. "Karlovaa! It has been too long, much too long. Ahh who is this fine man you have here! Intones the familiar voice sounding like the tallest zora in the village had materialized as suddenly as a Gerudo chief, produced lightning. "Hello Lorrue. This is Sidon we are courting, and this is his friend Vestus we just finished catching up and we need to find a spot for the statue unveiling." Sidon winces slightly as the diatribe concludes positive his love, had dislodged one of his scales after subconsciously tightening her grip on him. "Come on Karlovaa use their proper titles Prince Sidon and Champion of the Rito, Vestus deserve that much. Especially on the night of a historic founding but if he is bothering you, I would love to take him off your hands." Pointedly she looks at Vestus as she speaks causing the lovers palpable relief. "Yes, please do if someone does not intervene that poor man will play that arrow game all night. He could miss his own ceremony." Sidon tuts teasingly. Gosi saunters over to the rito gets his attention and for the first time that night the best archer of the Rito misses.
"I must apologize Sidon I should have warned you she could be here I forgot how much she loves grand events she would have killed to be able to attend Link's funeral, but she was recovering from an incident on the track at the time." "No I should have warned you how Vestus is I forgot he could be that way around women, after Bacta slapped him he has been much improved at the champion meetings. It was always the one thing no one ever bothered turning into a competition between him and Tulin." Agreeing they were both somewhat at fault the pair resume eating enjoying a delightful meal of rice balls and a Gerudo inspired pepper dish. Using Lorrue's distraction they had ducked into a nearby restaurant and enjoyed each other's company talking quietly of the antics of Lorrue and Vestus. Anything to avoid mentioning Sidon's impending coronation.
Directly after eating the two attend the unveiling taking place in the town square, grabbing a advertisement attached to a nearby house Sidon squirrels it away, covertly. Giving his attention to Vestus who is performing the master of ceremony duties the couple notice curiously that Lorrue is nowhere to be seen vanishing as suddenly as she had come. "Enjoy the festivities ladies and gentlemen, we are going late into the night like a true Rito party! Our duty is to look back and thank the heroes so instrumental in the founding of our city which only exists because of the flight range founded by two of the greatest warriors of our people!" With a flourish that doubles as a single the brothers who had flown Sidon in raise the tarp covering the pair of statues. Woosh! Glowing softly in the faint twilight; the gigantic stonework warriors proudly face each other, arrows knocked aimed high at imaginary foes it was spectacular workmanship. "A mighty thanks to our good friends the zora stonemasons who made this possible and their Prince Sidon for commissioning the project. In the faint light the couple hold each other as they make way to an inn Sidon looks troubled. "It is fine darling the inn is great I know you usually stay in nicer places…" She trailed off Sidon is glaring ahead "No it is not that dear, what troubles me is something Vestus said. Did you catch the passive aggressive insult he gave to the other Rito champions? 'two of the greatest warriors of the Rito' I know who he supposes the greatest is, if ambassador Tulin noticed we may just have driven a wedge between the Rito settlements." "That has nothing to do with you his speech is not endorsed by the zora because you made the statues. Now come on give me a good night kiss. I am exhausted sleep on it, if it still bothers you in the morning, we can revisit that comment." Obliging her with more than one kiss, the couple begrudgingly separate heading to their individual rooms. Sidon promises a surprise additional outing for tomorrow.
Across the village in a small house tucked into a massive hammock Vestus is contemplating the day thinking of his gerudo companion she had led him into maze of stalls and games charming him for a time. Then an impression of his fare escort, a unwelcome sensation that had led to him abandoning her." She was the oddest social climber I have seen," Vestus was very familiar with women who merely wanted to be with him for his fame and status but Lorrue was a new type of suitor in that vein. Everything was about the future how great the city would look, then she had wounded him "If it was not for this city, I doubt you would be remembered you may be a better warrior then the other two, but you have never had to prove it, even your father had seen more combat then you have. This is not a real historical event it just proves you can build a town at least the Gerudo were divinely led to theirs. I can help you together we can be great, see true battle be as strong as the legendary heroes of old." He had ran frightened from her there had been a fanatical note to that speech to her bearing even her tender loving touch. It had been like he was her favorite war horse she would gladly give him an apple, or rub him down but, the second he got old, when he could no longer pull the chariot she would discard him. No matter how often he told himself she was wrong he was a great warrior he no longer believed it to be true. The champion hardly slept he was too disturbed to try.
The next day Karlovaa is braiding her hair as part of her morning ritual running a intentional style change she had made after taking over the Akala Beach Sandseal Research Project . After tying her last strand she crosses the tiny room in a few moves and opens the door to see a package wrapped in brown paper and tied with a string. Returning to her chamber she opens a package and smiles at the sight of Sidon's beautiful script the sight of that hand always delighted her now. Settling near the window for slightly improved light, she is just able to make out the words.
"For today it is important to keep warm where we are going. Batma helped me with the arrangements it should be a lot of fun. Hope, and Love Sidon.
P. S. Bring your shield I know you have one you are going to need it.
Going to her bag she opens it to retrieve her shield nestled snugly, and discreetly at the bottom of the bag. If Batma was involved the activity was probably sandseal related since she thinks about little else. Then Karlovaa remembers the cold, there was a reason her facility was in Akala and not by the Rio settlement. "Okay I am stumped at least he used an abbreviation this time he used to sign it post script." Becoming increasingly more exited by the moment she leaves hoping the shield was for racing and not combat.
Authors note II
Well there you go I am sure it is not hard to figure what our activity is. Next week Sidon pops the question, I have to figure out how to keep a cold blooded man alive in freezing temperatures. Shalsis and Batma prepare the facility for Karlovaa's return and we get a Baz brigade meeting for a little humor.