A/N: hello all! Updates will only be on Saturdays for the next while, as I have a whole brand spanking new chapter coming up, while also editing the other chapters. I thank ye for your patience!
Chapter 20: Wheaton and Pita's
11-18, Friday, 11:13am
Location: Wheaton and Pita Café and Bakery, downtown Castletown
Vaati stared at the passersby hurrying past the café windows, everyone bundled up to ward off the unseasonably low temperature, no one sparing a glance his way as they rushed to their destinations. He himself was mostly warm, sitting inside with a half-empty cup of tea cradled in one hand. His hair was hidden under a knit cap and he still had his coat on. It looked as though he were ready to leave any minute now.
The violet-haired man pulled out his tablet impatiently and checked the messages for the twentieth time.
Hey, handsome. You should go to Wheaton and Pita's at 11. You might find something interesting.
This is Aveil, by the way. I'm sure you can guess how I got your number—Link is such a nice kid, isn't he?
Best of luck, handsome! We should chat sometime.
Vaati scowled and tossed his head around to glare at everyone inside the café. There wasn't anything interesting here at all—a couple on a brunch date, an old woman reading a book, three college students chatting together, the café owner and his daughter behind the counter—nothing particularly strange, unique, or otherwise to merit his attention. The only reason he had followed Aveil's suggestion was that he really had nothing better to do. Link was nowhere to be found when he woke up, he had very little homework, and it was too cold out to practice with the wind. He was also curious why Link's 'aunt' of all people had given him this mysterious lead.
He took a sip of tea, then grimaced at the bitter taste. He'd let it steep too long. With a sigh, Vaati grabbed the paper cup and headed towards the nearest trash can, which was by the entrance. As he tossed the still half-full cup into the can, he happened to glance up. Right outside, a pair of blond students were approaching the café—his elusive roommate, arm in arm with Zelda.
His first instinct was to wait for them to enter and then hit Link with a glare and a classic, passive-aggressive, 'Nice to see you spending time with everyone but me,' but he paused in his thoughts. Was that what Aveil meant by 'something interesting'—Link and Zelda going out for brunch? What, was he supposed to stick around and watch the two of them being buddy-buddy with each other? Perhaps they would be talking about Sheikah-related things; after all, Zelda had been one of Link's confidantes for a while now. He didn't have any way to listen in on their conversation, not without them noticing… but maybe that didn't matter.
The bell on the front door jingled, and Vaati met the two pairs of blue eyes entering.
"Ah… hey, Vaati," his roommate greeted him, seeming briefly surprised but quickly assuming a casual tone. Behind Link, Zelda dipped her head almost apologetically.
Vaati's gaze swept over the two. His roommate was looking at him with a perfectly neutral expression, while Zelda darted her eyes from one face to another. Without a reply, Vaati turned and went back to the table he'd been sitting at. Two could play the cold shoulder game.
He didn't even try to be subtle, watching the pair closely as they ordered drinks and a couple of sandwiches. Link never even glanced his way, though. The blond smiled and chatted like normal, eyes on Zelda or his food, not once straying to the violet-haired man practically boring a hole in his head with how hard he was glaring. Vaati experimentally sent a small breeze to ruffle his hair; Link frowned briefly at it but didn't look at the culprit. While the two of them engaged in this silent battle, Zelda kept glancing at Vaati anxiously, then at Link, frowning slightly.
Vaati sighed. This was going nowhere. He'd just go the old-fashioned route: question Zelda later about what Link was up to. In the meantime, he stood and strode out of the café, opening the door as loudly as possible (Link still didn't glance over.) He entered a nearby bookstore to escape the cold and pulled out his Slate.
Link and Zelda—is that what you meant?
He stared at his tablet for a long time after he sent the message, but Aveil didn't reply right away. He was impatiently typing out another message when she finally replied.
Aveil: I thought that might catch your attention. I heard Link has been ignoring you. I wonder why…
Vaati: What, does Zelda have something to do with it? That doesn't make sense, though
A: Maybe she knows. I just so happen to have her number
V: …are you a Sheikah agent too?
A: Oh, no, I'm retired, you know. Consider me a free agent. Anyways, handsome, would you like that number?
V: What do you want in return
A: Nothing—I'm doing you a favor because I like you. Oh, but I meant it when I said I would like to have a nice talk with you, so just keep your weekend open. Here's the number: xxx-xxxx. Good luck!
Vaati turned off his tablet screen and shoved it into his coat pocket. That Aveil woman… he had no clue what her motives were. She seemed like she was rather affectionate towards Link; maybe she was trying to help Link and Vaati patch things up. He felt uneasy about her being a 'free agent'—that just seemed like a roundabout way to say 'mercenary.' She could be monitoring them and gathering info, completely for her own, unknown purposes. Link trusted her, though…
With a discontent grumble, he pulled his Sheikah Slate out once again, texting Zelda's number, telling her to meet him at the bookstore after she was done with Link. To his relief, she replied that she would be there at one. At least Aveil had given him the right number.
As they sat across from one another at one of the tables in the back of the bookstore, Vaati was beginning to realize that every conversation he ever had with Zelda felt like he was conducting an interrogation, with him snapping questions and her stammering and nervous. It was probably not the best method, but he just automatically acted that way around her. He wondered if it had anything to do with his past self—the Wind Mage and the Princesses Zelda had, after all, never been on friendly terms. The Zelda in front of him was a direct descendent, the modern-day princess.
Did that make Link the Hero, then? he wondered. The thought made his chest prick with an odd ache. He had no desire to be enemies with Link, nor Zelda, for that matter. But if the legends of the past were true, he might not have a choice. After all, Link had been able to pull the Four Sword from its pedestal—according to legend, only the Princess or Hero could do that. Then again, the sword had been in pretty bad condition…
Zelda cleared her throat nervously, and Vaati snapped back to attention. Those things weren't relevant right now. "How'd your date with Link go?" he asked. Then he cringed minutely, surprised both at the question and at how bitter he'd sounded.
"N-no, it wasn't a date or anything!" Zelda quickly contradicted him, cheeks turning pink. "It was just—ah—well, a-anyway, we're just friends, don't—don't worry."
For some reason, Vaati felt a sense of relief at that statement. He ignored the feeling and moved on to his next question. "Is he alright? I mean… he's been ignoring me ever since we left the Abbey. I can't tell what that idiot is thinking anymore. Since he spends all his time with you now apparently, I figured you'd know something."
"No, you're right. Link hasn't been himself. He… doesn't talk very much about you lately." Zelda traced a finger along the edge of the table, not meeting Vaati's eyes, as usual. "And his aura—he acted like he didn't notice you earlier, but I could tell he—he was really uncomfortable. But I haven't asked him why. I don't want to pry…"
So, Link usually talked about him? Zelda had said something similar in one of their conversations before, now that he thought about it.
"I—I did hear something from Aveil, though," Zelda added. "Do you know Aveil?"
"Yeah. She's the one who gave me your number."
"Oh. Well, it might not be related, but she said that one of the Sheikah's best agents was almost killed by Ghirahim, a few days before he attacked you and Link. Apparently, that agent is one of Link's close friends. Link still tried to fight Ghirahim, even though he knew how dangerous it was… Ah, I suppose what I'm trying to say is… Link definitely cares a lot about you. So, it worries me, too, that he will barely even talk about you now…"
"That idiot…" Vaati muttered, resting his head on one hand. "Good thing I was there to save his skin. What, did he think he was courageous or something, fighting someone he knew was stronger than him?" He was talking more to himself than to Zelda.
"I'm sorry I couldn't really be of more help," the blonde girl apologized. She timidly looked up at Vaati's face. "I can let you know if I hear anything…"
He glanced at her, then nodded. "This wasn't a complete waste of time."
Zelda stood to leave, but she paused, opening and closing her mouth, before finally asking, "Vaati, do you—you and Link, I mean—um—do you l-like him?"
"Why else would I be trying to figure out what's wrong with him? I'm peeved at him, but I don't hate him, if that's what you're asking," Vaati frowned.
She shook her head apologetically. "That's not—your auras say you—I'm sorry, I-I really shouldn't pry." With a stammered farewell, Zelda left the bookstore, leaving Vaati to sort out his thoughts.
He ignored Zelda's strange question, focusing on the issue with Link. There was no doubt that something was wrong with him. There had to be some factor unknown to the two of them that was making Link act this way. He had a feeling Aveil knew; she just didn't want to tell him outright for some reason.
Vaati: I talked with Zelda. She doesn't know anything. Had enough fun teasing me yet
Aveil: Oh, I've barely started! But I won't put you in a bad mood. Let's chat on Sunday, 11, at Wheaton and Pita's
Somehow, he was really not looking forward to it.
Sunday, 10:56am
Location: Wheaton and Pita's
"Look at you, here early!" Aveil greeted Vaati with that smile that made him feel she was complimenting him like he was a well-behaved child. She gestured towards the bakery counter, bracelets jingling with the movement. "Let's get something to eat before we get down to business. My treat."
"I'm fine," Vaati replied shortly.
The Gerudo shook her head. "If you insist. I'll be just a moment."
He watched the woman saunter over to the counter, her large ponytail swaying and high heels clicking on the floor. Several other pairs of eyes followed her movements. Was she really a former spy? He couldn't imagine how she'd ever sneak around anywhere without drawing attention. Even if she were to wear less curve-hugging clothes, flashy jewelry, and makeup, Vaati knew her natural beauty would attract the gaze of more than one person. But maybe she wasn't the kind of spy that snuck around.
She sauntered back to their table by the window and set down a steaming cup of coffee and a croissant. "You really should try the croissants," Aveil said. "They are world-famous. Well, almost."
"I didn't come here for the croissants. I want to know what's going on with Link."
"Are you worried about your dear roommate?" she replied with a calm smile.
"I'm annoyed that he's ignoring me. That's all."
Aveil tore her croissant in half, her golden eyes watching the steam rise from the fresh pastry. "If he had a choice, he wouldn't be ignoring you, I can tell you that." She offered half to Vaati, then shrugged when he denied. "Impa threatened to take him off the case."
Vaati took a moment to process this. "You mean... remove him from the Academy?"
The Gerudo nodded. "He would be sent off on a mission somewhere else, and someone else would be assigned to you."
The thought of some random agent replacing his roommate irked him. At least Link had never acted like his babysitter; he doubted he'd get the same treatment if he were replaced. "But why is he ignoring me?" Vaati frowned. "Why didn't he tell me about that?"
"Because you're the reason he's one strike away from leaving." Aveil stuffed one half of her croissant in her mouth, setting the other half back down on her plate and flicking crumbs off of her fingers. Vaati said nothing; he didn't completely understand what she was saying. When she had finished chewing, she continued, "He got one strike for trying to fight Ghirahim. You heard how one of their best agents almost died? Impa was a little miffed at Link for being so reckless. Link put himself in extreme danger to protect you. And then the second strike was the Four Sword. He went against orders. Impa really lectured him hard for that one; she could have removed him right then and there, you know. That was for you, too, Vaati."
"Well, yes, he was being an idiot, but isn't he supposed to be helping me?" Vaati replied. "That's kind of his job right now, isn't it?"
Aveil laughed as though his reply were the cutest thing. "Only to an extent. He went too far. Do you remember that I told you Link has very few friends? Why do you think that is?"
"Because he's a spy. That's obvious now." Not exactly the type of job where you made friends; enemies, sure, not friends.
"Hm, I don't think you see the whole picture, though. Link likes you quite a lot. Enough to risk his life and career for you. But he shouldn't. He's a spy, and spies shouldn't form any emotional attachments, especially not while on a mission. Part of the reason I quit," she laughed, the sound not matching the seriousness of her words.
She picked up her cup of coffee and blew on the surface, steam swirling up as she did so. Vaati stared at her but his mind didn't register her movements. He was beginning to understand now, and he mentally kicked himself for not realizing earlier. As a spy, Link was restricted from things like friendship or love, because it could compromise his position, make him vulnerable. Impa saw Link's actions as signs of emotional attachment to Vaati and threatened to remove him from the case if he didn't get his feelings in order. He remembered now too that Impa had mentioned possible suspension. And so, Link was ignoring Vaati so that he could stay on the case.
"You look like you get it now," Aveil commented after several moments of silence. "So, what are you going to do?"
He lifted his gaze and met her golden eyes. "What do you mean, what am I going to do? I can't do anything. I don't want Link to..." He hesitated, then figured it didn't matter anymore and finished, "I don't want him to leave."
Aveil tapped a manicured finger on the rim of her cup. "You know what I love about being a free agent? If someone wants my services, they have to follow my requests—for example, if I want a specific partner. If I don't get what I want, then they don't get my cooperation. Simple as that."
Slowly, Vaati's frown eased, and he scoffed lightly. "You sure have a roundabout way of saying things."
"It's more fun this way," Aveil grinned.
"Any more cryptic advice or information I should know?"
"Oh, no, I think that's quite it." The Gerudo took a long drink of her coffee, then gave him a smirk. "I do hope you can work things out with my dear nephew; the two of you make a cute pair, if I do say so."
Vaati scowled. That was twice in one day now that people were insinuating things about him and Link. "I don't know what gives you that idea," he snapped, standing to leave. "And I'm not your matchmaking experiment. Go 'pair' him with someone else; leave me out of it." The suggestion that the two were more than friends—he was irritated, but also... He couldn't put his finger on the emotion, but he didn't like it. All he had wanted to know was how to patch up his friendship with Link. This had nothing to do with keeping Link on the case.
Aveil just smiled at him, unfazed, and waved her fingers in farewell as he marched out of the cafe. "Good luck!"
As he walked, he focused his mind on the other things Aveil had said—specifically, about being a free agent. The solution to keeping Link on the case was simple: Vaati only had to tell the Sheikah that he would not cooperate if Link was replaced. He wasn't sure how much weight his demand would carry. Hopefully, the fact that he was the Wind Mage and that the Yiga wanted him on their side would be enough to convince the Sheikah to grant his request. He would only find out by trying.
