I try to piece myself together as I am crumbling apart
Am I reaching my limit or have I yet to start?
Have I gotten lost, or been left behind? Did I become enlightened as I lost my mind?
.
Ravio could perceive the sweet but pungent smell of burning copal billowing out of the Fortune Teller's hut. It reminded him of home. He found it to be a very pleasant scent, but a very depressing one all in the same. Sheerow nestled into Ravio's scarf, the dense smoke was irritating to him.
"It's you" the Fortune Teller kept his sight distracted with the light from his crystal ball in order to pay better attention to the visions of his third eye.
"You know who I am?" Ravio stood by the entrance, the dim lighting and warmth inside felt like a nice contrast to the bright and cool Hylian fall.
"I have seen you in Link's fortune" the Fortune Teller said.
The ears on Ravio's hood stood straight up and he brought his hand up to his face in a gesture of panic.
"Have…What have you told him!?" He laid a purple rupee on the table and sat on the patterned rug.
"Only that he would bump into you, it is all I could see. It was most important that you meet. Most important for both of you… Why are you here? Your vision is greater than mine" The Fortune Teller asked. His eyes were half lid and his face was without much expression.
"Not greater, just different. Something happened in Link's home. It was scary." Ravio replied.
The Fortune Teller sang his usual chant. He tried to focus, but his vision was more complex than usual.
"I can see Link but…" he turned his head and stared at the flame from one of the candles. He tried to understand just enough to make some type of sense of what he saw.
Ravio pulled his hood off his head, realizing the fortune teller would sooner or later see through it.
"Is it Link you see?"
The fortune teller was surprised but tried his best not to show it. He looked into Ravio's eyes, they were so light in color that he seemed ethereal. He found it tickling to see such a familiar looking face perfectly showcasing an unfamiliar and otherworldly look.
"I see. Yes. Now I see." When he had seen Ravio in Link's future he had only been able to see his figure as a bunny. He had known Link's fate would be tied to that of Hyrule's, and had seen that this bunny was an important part of it all, but until then he had not known Ravio's identity.
"What you experienced is not what you believe, and what you expect is not what will come to pass. The answer you seek is in front of you" he said.
"That does not sound very helpful" Ravio noted. Sheerow shook his head and fluttered, he was not pleased either.
"You will understand when it is the right time" the Fortune Teller explained.
"You mean when it's too late for it to matter anyway?" Ravio asked. His mouth was in a pout, his hands perpetually held by his chest, his thick eyebrows were flat and his shoulders fell in disappointment. His remark and lightly effeminate mannerism finally made the Fortune Teller laugh.
"Why are you here, Ravio?" He asked again.
"I guess I needed reassurance." Ravio had spent most of the morning quietly meditating as Link slept. He now doubted his theory about a ghost, but he still did not know what had happened, and the manifestation he experienced was too violent to ignore. He hesitated, chewing on his lower lip briefly before setting another two red rupees on the table.
"Tell me about Link" he said.
"He will soon face a trial different than you both expect. Unfortunately it will be painful" the Fortune teller said.
"But he will succeed" Ravio's statement sounded more like an affirmation than a question.
"Of course" the Fortune Teller confirmed, then proceeded "The answer he seeks is in front of him."
Ravio's expression then turned passively annoyed.
"Really?" His impossibly light, firefly-green eyes would have seemed intimidating had the Fortune Teller not been able to read his completely benign nature.
"Did you really expect your fates to be different one from the other?"
Ravio was stunned then. He had never expected Link's fate to turn out as grim as he figured his own would be. He didn't know what to think about that. It stressed him out and his mind was drawing an anxious blank. He sighed loudly.
"Come on now, for 90 rupees, can't you tell me something else?" he asked, his tone now was so disappointed that he sounded borderline depressed.
The Fortune Teller continued to smile. He was found of Link, and he was learning he was also quite fond of Ravio. He was very amused by the situation that he could see unfold for them. The locals were always so constant and boring that he found Link's and Ravio's situation exciting.
"People from Lorule are inconsistent to their respective Hylian counterparts. Some are complete opposites, so much in opposition in fact that one would downright disgust the other; some are perfect mirrors in every aspect, with the same strengths and the same flaws; others bare only physical likeness, with no other connection or resemblance whatsoever. Then there is you, and Link. Opposite, but not in opposition. You have the same values, the same humor, and the same idea of what is right and wrong; however, you are not equal, you are compliments, opposite, but in perfect consonance. His best traits exalt yours, your strengths are his weaknesses"
"My strengths? He is strong in every way I am not" Ravio interrupted.
"That is indeed what I mean, and that is most important" The Fortune Teller concluded.
Ravio turned silent. He was very confused.
"Is that all?" He asked after a moment.
"For 90 rupees, yes" The Fortune Teller teased. He truly had nothing more to say, but he perceived Ravio's fondness for currency, and knew he was unwilling to spend any more.
"Yeah. That's fair. Thanks buddy. I'm actually more scared than I was coming in here. But I do appreciate this little talk. Did you know this place is depressing? I do appreciate you helping Link too, even if you are so cryptic. You should really throw some more skulls around in this place it would be more dramatic, more uplifting! They would really lighten up this whole creepy-but-still-Hylian thing you have going, it's just a bit much, it's like cherubs in here." With that as a parting remark, Ravio was on his feet and walking out as he secured his hood back on his head.
The Fortune Teller looked around his hutch.
"Throw some skulls?"
"Oh and I don't really know how to riddle-y pigge-ly or whatever, like you do, so this advice will have to be free; You are really a fool, that sage Irene wants into your pants bad. She is very cute and will probably end up cursing you if you keep avoiding her as you have" The giant blue bunny eyes almost seemed aloof as Ravio poked his head back in.
The Fortune Teller went pale and his mouth dropped open, a blindfold had been lifted from his eyes.
"Ah, As if you were doing any better! Link is very cute too." He almost stuttered.
"Are you coming onto me? 'Cause there's this blonde guy I kind of already have my eye on. Otherwise you would totally be like…fifth, on the list" Ravio pulled up his hood and playfully winked at the Fortune Teller.
The Fortune Teller broke out in hysterics then. He laughed so hard he actually had to bend over. Ravio lifted both hands up to ear level and waved goodbye by performing his usual bunny-ear dance. The Fortune Teller waved goodbye as best as he could through his laughter.
II.
There was an eerie showcase of glittering frozen figures, like statues in an art gallery being left behind in Ravio's path as he froze any foe that would come to sight. His back was straight as a board, his hips were bent slightly forward. His stride was short and his point of balance rigid; a perfect recipe for falling over yourself. His steps; however, were bouncy and rhythmic, almost as if he were dancing to a tune only he could hear. His dark purple robes and oversized hood made him stand out from everyone else around. The blackbirds would follow him briefly, tumbling and frolicking with Sheerow then going back to the trees. Ravio seemed to have a little world of his own which moved around him wherever he would go. His very presence seemed to disrupt Hyrule's autumnal palette and engulf it in his very own aura of dark, and perpetual winter.
Link stared at him from a far. He wondered if this effect was what Ravio meant when he said things reacted to him. He put his index fingers and thumbs in an "L" shape then brought his hands together at eye level to form a rectangle with them. He stared at Ravio through it, as if it were a frame.
"Just like a beautiful painting" He thought as he moved his hands to continue framing Ravio as he walked. "Maybe I should sneak around and follow him. Just to look at him" He smiled and shook his head as he lowered his hands. "Maybe all of this is driving me crazy" he thought.
"Ravio!" Link called out as he rushed passed the trembling ice statues.
"Mr. Hero! You're awake! Did you sleep well? Good morning! Or, uh, good afternoon!" Ravio's voice was cheerful, but he seemed nervous. He looked over Link's shoulder as he spoke. Link looked back and noticed the foe that Ravio was staring at, but he did not fuss over it, the foe couldn't see them. Ravio started to relax a little. Link's presence eased his anxiety. His world was falling apart and Link still managed to make him smile. He thought about what the Fortune Teller had said. He could still make just vague sense of it all.
"I need to buy some items. I woke up and realized you weren't home so I came out to find you…Thanks for not waking me. I really needed to rest" Link said.
"No need to thank me buddy. It's your house, besides, you have taken it upon yourself to single handedly save the sages, princess Zelda, and with them all of Hyrule, you deserve to rest sometime" Ravio walked around a tree to avoid the nearby foe and signaled for Link to follow him.
"What are you up to?" Link asked as he complied.
"I came out to visit the Fortune Teller."
Link could hear the disappointment in Ravio's voice.
"Did he get a bad fortune?" he wondered. "Did you find out what you wanted to know?" he asked.
"No, not at all." Ravio sighed. "Come with me to the bar?" He did not wait for a reply. He took Link's hand and started running, pulling Link with him. Link ran along, he knew Ravio acted out of fear, but he actually found this fun, and he enjoyed Ravio holding his hand.
Ravio slowed his pace when they reached Kakariko. He released his grip on Link's hand, but Link purposefully did not let go. This made Ravio turn his attention to their contact. It made him nervous, but also excited. They stopped on their tracks. Link stared at Ravio, his mouth and jawline where visible through the sides of his hood. He noticed Ravio was blushing, and his small plump lips appeared to be in a pout even though he was smiling.
Ravio giggled, flattered by Link's attention.
"Come on Mr. Hero, it's rude to stare" he said as he turned to face Link.
Although Link could not see it, he could feel that Ravio was looking straight into his eyes. He suddenly felt vulnerable and he was not used to feeling that way, but it didn't feel bad. His heart started raising. He smiled a big sultry smile as a light rosy blush tinted his cheeks.
"Now you're the one who is staring" he pointed out.
Ravio blushed deep red and giggled once more, nervously bringing one hand up to pull down on the hem of his hood. Link laughed. They both felt elated, they could not ignore that just being together made them happy.
They could both feel the euphoric tension that was steadily building between them. They enjoyed this feeling in silence for several blocks as they continued walking hand in hand towards the bar.
"I want to just say something but I don't know what I want to say" For the first time in his life, Link wished he was better with words. "I know I want to just push him onto the grass and kiss him, and never stop. Should I said that?" the blush in his cheeks turned deeper. He felt naughty when he thought these things. He felt as if Ravio could hear his thoughts, although he could reason that was not possible.
Images that exemplified Link's thoughts started coursing through Ravio's mind, even though had no idea what Link was thinking. He was very conflicted, he always felt guilty about not being completely honest with Link and he knew they would soon have to part ways. He had also, since long before, made himself of the idea that it was not in his destiny to be happy; However, when he was with Link he could not help feeling happy and cheerful. He turned serious for a moment, once again attempting to make sense of what the fortune teller had said. He then noticed a new item stuffed in Link's belt and was quickly distracted by it.
"What is that?" he asked. Link looked down and retrieved a small wood-bound book.
"Just a book" Link answered as he handed it over to Ravio.
Elders Encyclopedia Vol. 10. R,S,T
"Wow a book! This is a rare item, it would fetch a really good price!" Ravio had several books on music and magic, he knew how expensive they could be.
"I will not sell it. I will gather the entire encyclopedia one day. I have volumes 4, 5 and 12 as well" Link took the book back and stuffed it into his belt "You can borrow them sometime. They are very good" He offered.
"Are you very fond of them?" Ravio asked.
"I really enjoy reading" Link answered as he pushed open the bar door.
A constant low hum created from the chatter of the customers welcomed them into the bar. It was more crowded than usual. The bar tender had brought in more tables for the night as he usually did when needed. Link lead Ravio to a table on the far back. It was his favorite spot since it was the closest to the musicians.
"I'll be right back Mr. Hero!" Ravio walked up to the bar to speak with the bar tender.
Link scanned the place for anything unusual, such as a faulty shelf or a mysterious character. It was simply a habit of his: Leave no person un-greeted, no stone un-lifted, no crevice unexamined.
"I've never spoken to that soldier" Link breathed in deep. He would have to go up to him and introduce himself, but for the moment he was satisfied as nothing seemed too out of the ordinary.
"Here you go Mr. Hero! A big platter of treats and two bottles of cold vintage milk!" Ravio sat across from him and started eating.
Link stared at the bottle Ravio had set before him.
"Ravio…How old are you?" He asked, he had not previously wondered about that at all.
"Same age as you Mr. Hero" Ravio replied cheerfully.
Link took several pieces of dried fruit from the platter and stared at the drink for a bit longer.
"I'm sorry. I really appreciate you getting this for me, but I am not going to drink it" he said. He did not, as others, think that drinking vintage milk was bad. He also did not want to diminish Ravio's kindness, but he did not find it appropriate at the moment.
"I should have asked! You don't like it! Do you like plain milk, or water? I think they have tea" Ravio said as he stood up. He took the milk he had brought for Link and quickly drank it all down in order to free up the bottle.
"I'd like some tea. I will get it myself" Link made to get up, but Ravio stopped him.
"It's no problem! I will be right back!" with that Ravio was off again. Link noticed this time Ravio spoke with the bar tender briefly, then walked passed the bar to speak with the soldier that Link had not recognized earlier.
"I wonder who he is, Ravio seems to know him" Link thought, he would definitely have to meet him later. "I'm still so tired, but I can't stay much longer" He rubbed his eyes and then took off his cap to run his fingers through his hair. "I will go wash up, pay Ravio for his items before visiting Mother Mai Mai and then I'll be off"
"Here you go buddy! Fresh brewed wild-berry tea!" Ravio's voice sounded almost like he was singing.
Link thought about how no one had ever done things for him such as fix him a meal, or fetched him tea. He was usually the one running errands and fetching things for people.
"Thanks Ravio, you're very nice to me. Really, thank you" he said taking the bottle of tea.
"Well, you are very nice to me too. I am also grateful!" Ravio was happy to see Link had let his hair down "Cheers" he said, taking his vintage milk and drinking about a third of it down.
Link sipped on his tea, it was sweet and warm and delightful. He wondered why he didn't order it more often, and he also wondered about Ravio's drink.
"Do you drink that often?" he asked, he was curious about what the big deal with it really was.
"Yes, somewhat often…Does it bother you?" Ravio was suddenly self-conscious.
"It doesn't bother me. I don't know much about it at all, but I've heard it's not good to have a lot of it"
"Don't worry Mr. Hero. I rarely have a lot. I'm very used to it by now too. I've had it since I was very young" Ravio stopped and laughed "I AM very young, but I've had it since I can remember. I've probably had too much of it now though, I usually don't have more than one bottle and I usually space it out" he stretched out dramatically. He was already feeling the effects of it, but he truly did not get too altered by it.
"Do you not remember the first time you tried it?" Link asked.
Ravio sighed. He remembered, but he did not want to, and could not talk much about it at the moment.
"I think I do. I was just a child then. Someone gave some of it to me"
Link did not say anything for a minute. He did not know what to make of what Ravio was telling him. He sat back and took his cap from the table. He tilted his head to put it back on, but Ravio leaned over and into him and grabbed his hand, stopping Link's actions.
"Please don't" Ravio sounded more distressed in this request than he would have had he been sober.
Link's heart skipped a beat. Ravio had leaned in so close that the scarf around his neck lightly tickled the tip of his nose and its sweet vanilla scent gave him goosebumps. Ravio noticed his actions and quickly jumped back and sat down. He was blushing so deep Link could see even his neck was reddened. Link smiled wide, he felt happy and undeniably aroused. He reached to take Ravio's hand in his own again and was pleased when Ravio did not reject him.
A harrowing feeling interrupted Link's blissful moment. Something inside him was trying to tell him something important that he did not understand; this made him very anxious. He took a deep breath and realized he was unconsciously caressing the back of Ravio's hand with repeated soft, yet nervous, strokes of his thumb. He saw Ravio bring his free hand to his drink and finally drink down the last bit of it.
"Does…Does it taste good? He asked, trying to ground himself back into their conversation.
"You have never tasted it?" Ravio asked.
"No" Link answered simply. "But, haven't I? No. Of course not. . .Why am I not sure?" Link was so confused, his thoughts were unsettling. Ravio noticed Link suddenly seemed troubled.
"Mr. Hero?"
"You, you know, I…" Link was surprised to hear himself stuttering, something felt wrong. "I know I never had any, but somehow I think I can remember its taste."
Ravio thought this was a little odd, but did not otherwise think much of it.
"Maybe you've had it once before but you cannot remember. I've heard some people can't remember, but it doesn't really have that effect on me" he tried easing Link with a possible explanation.
"It tastes harsh on its own so I add vanilla" Ravio sang in reply to Link's earlier question. "Like a dash of salt on bitter coffee…"
"Vanilla and sugar makes it sweet like toffee" Link's and Ravio's voice echoed one another as they finished Ravio's signing together. This caused them both to come to a dead silence.
"What just happened? My heart is beating too fast. I feel ill. Why? How did I know what he'd say?"
"LINK! Lad! Over here!"
Link's thoughts were abruptly halted by the Blacksmith's voice calling out to him. He looked around and saw the Blacksmith waving to him from across the room. He did not want to go, he did not feel well. He turned back to look at Ravio who was still just holding his hand and staring at him in silence.
"I have to go. It's my boss" He squeezed Ravio's hand before getting up and walking away.
Ravio was still in shock. He could not remember ever singing that song out loud. He could not understand how Link knew it.
"Sheerow, do you…never mind" He felt an overwhelming wistfulness, his anxiety was suddenly getting the best of him. There were too many people around, the chatter was getting too loud. "Sheerow I feel strange. I feel I've forgotten something really important. Something I can't…" He only wanted to run out the door and off a cliff or something of the like. He desperately needed something to calm him.
The musicians started to play. Their melody caught Ravio's attention. He breathed deep and opened his eyes to focus on the darkness inside his hood as he allowed the music to soothe him.
The Blacksmith asked about Gulley and spoke about the current situation in town. Link just couldn't lend him his full attention. He felt on edge.
"Yes, he is still well. He is not scared" he could barely think enough to reply. The Blacksmith's voice started sounding distorted, as if far away. Everything around turned silent then, and everyone around seemed to be moving in slow motion. It was a stranger perspective than merging into the wall. Link simply observed unreactive.
"There is something I can't remember. Something…dear to me. It's important. Something is wrong." Link scanned the room again. He noticed Ravio was no longer at their table, but instead was dancing and laughing around the musicians. He played a small wind instrument that Link could not quite see. His scarf was loosely hanging from his arms threatening to fall off. Sheerow wavered around him. The soldier from before approached Ravio and spoke to him. Link did not know why, but he did not like that.
A loud horrific sob suddenly put Link in high alert, yet he was sure only he had heard it. Everything seemed to be set back to its normal volume and motion. Link's eyes were going wild, scanning the room over and over, and constantly falling back on Ravio. An irrational fear was splitting his skull. He thought Ravio would vanish into thin air at any moment.
"Why do I feel this? Why did I hear that?" He looked at the Blacksmith, who seemed to still be talking to him. "He didn't hear that cry. I feel so ill. I've forgotten something important" Images scents and sounds flooded Link's mind and senses: A rainy dusk, the smell of dirt, children's hands picking wild safflina flowers, a sweet melody, a small piece of wood being carved and, again, a loud and sad cry.
"I can't remember, but I do remember something…the little boy, it's a cry of a little boy!" Link looked at his boss again.
"Sir, do you remember…"
The blacksmith was surprised that Link had interrupted him. He was usually very polite and quiet.
"Remember what lad?" he asked.
Link rubbed his eyes and forehead, the pain in his head was too strong.
"A little boy, something about a little boy" Link said still holding his forehead.
"Hey, you haven't been drinking vintage milk like that time now?"
"What? I haven't drank any of it!" Link replied. An intense smell of vanilla and another set of images plagued his brain.
"Ravio?-" he scanned the room again and could not see Ravio anywhere "-Goddess, where is he!?" he thought, now giving a little into his panic. He heard the blacksmith take in a deep breath.
"Look, Link. This is exactly what I was just telling you. You're really manning-up and turning your life around with all that's happening lately. I wouldn't want that turning sour on you because you are trying to be nice to a shady character. A dark wizard, like your friend Ravio there, is not convenient to have around. He might remind you of something you wish had been real, but you don't know what that kinda person might be capable of, besides, you're too old to go back to that little-boy-ghost business. You put that behind you already"
"I... what?" Link froze, there was something that was making him unable to think coherently. "What is he... he does not like Ravio?" Link looked around once more.
There was a flash of red then, and an arrogant laughter.
"Who the hell does he think he is?" Link's own voice was coming from the opposite corner of the bar.
Link spotted a figure with glowing eyes and dark skin, and otherwise identical to him in looks. It was only a quick glimpse, then he felt a rush shoot through him. He felt distressed.
"Did..did that just pierce into my body? …Did it just break out of me?" He felt short of breath, and way too warm, as if fire coursed through his veins. He was suddenly enraged. He could have torn the Blacksmith apart in that instant; however, he was too concerned over Ravio's whereabouts to really process anything, or even react at all. He walked away and out the door. Leaving the Blacksmith shocked and a little worried.
"Ravio?...Ravio?" The sky was already dark and there were crickets singing all around. Link called out to Ravio as discreetly as he could, still trying his best to remain composed and vigilant amid his panic. He saw the mysterious soldier walking a few feet down the road and made to follow him.
"Mr. Hero?" Ravio's voice stopped him in his tracks. Ravio walked towards Link from the back of the bar. Sheerow slept perched on his shoulder. "Hey are you ok, Mr. Hero?" he asked.
Link felt like he had just fallen back into his own boots. A welcomed, yet strange calm quickly bringing him back to his full senses.
"What are you doing out here. I thought you disappeared."
Ravio laughed loud at this, he was too drunk to remember his earlier sorrow.
"I was just trading that's all. No need to worry Buddy!"
Link was relieved, he followed Ravio down the street.
"Did you feel anything weird just now?" he asked.
Ravio stopped and thought about it.
"I guess, yes. Yes I did! There was something a bit weird in the bar. You know Mr. Hero there was something weird in your home the other night too. It was very scary, I think it was a ghost but maybe it wasn't"
Link was taken aback. He did not believe there was a ghost in in house, but it was not until then that he became fully aware of the words the Blacksmith had spoken.
"What was he talking about?" he wondered "Why did I not pay attention?"
"Um, are you ok?" Ravio asked again.
"I'm ok" Link stopped himself. These feelings were not going to stop if he did not confront them "Actually, I'm not. I don't feel well, something strange is happening to me" he corrected.
Ravio felt his chest grow tight and he remembered how he felt in the bar. There was something very peculiar about those feelings, but he couldn't discern what it was through the blur of his usual anxiety and his current drunken state.
"Would you stay home tonight and rest more, please?" It was all he could think of saying.
Link did not want to delay any longer, but he realized maybe all that was happening was because he just sorely needed more rest.
"Yes. I will" He agreed. He took his bell and rang it. The broom arrived quickly. "Hold onto it. It will take us home."
Ravio found the idea a bit frightening, but he thought it was worth avoiding all the monsters. He took the sleeping Sheerow and stuffed him into his scarf then held onto the broom. Sheerow fuzzed a bit but quickly fell back asleep.
They arrived home with haste. Link found the cool night breeze calming, and Ravio was surprised that the ride had not been as unpleasant as he expected, albeit somewhat awkward. He opened his eyes trying to ignore the length of the fall before letting go, hoping he'd land on his feet. The distance was much shorter than he thought, and he was happy that he landed steady. He walked inside to put Sheerow in his cage, then turned to put his scarf and Link's cap on top of one of the boxes.
Link worked on lighting the fireplace.
"Hey my cap! Thank you, I thought I would have to go back and search for it." He said.
"I didn't want to leave it unattended when I left the table" Ravio explained.
Link put his hand in his pocket and pulled out his hint glasses and showed them to Ravio. Ravio took them and immediately recognized the type of magic this funny item was infused with. It was a low level voyance-type magic that Ravio was sure fell short of his own, but it was worth a try. He handed them back to Link, who put them on and looked all around.
"Nothing"
"Yeah…" Ravio was not surprised, but still a bit disappointed to find no explanation to what happened.
"Why did you think there might be a ghost?" Link asked.
"How did you get these?" Ravio took Link by the hand and pulled on his sleeve, revealing the almost faded marks on Link's skin.
"In Lorule, I faced a nasty opponent. Why?" Link was confused by Ravio's seemingly sudden interest in his scars, and Ravio was confused by Link's answer.
Ravio looked down and felt his body sway, his head spun for just a moment. He felt Link's arm firmly circling his waist.
"Woah! Are you ok?" Links voice was full of concern. Ravio put his hands on Link's shoulders and willed himself to regain balance.
"I'm sorry Mr. Hero, the vintage milk has an effect on my body much more than on my mind. I am ok though, I promise."
Link kept holding him tight. Although he felt a calmer than before there was still a sense of unease in him which Ravio helped alleviate.
"Does it feel good?" Link asked in reference to the physical effects Ravio felt from the vintage milk.
"Yes, if it is good. It helps relax my muscles, and it helps me feel less anxious. It's not fun to be scared all the time…When it's bad, uh, like not well made, it can make ones stomach churn. You should try it for yourself. Oh!" Ravio straightened up and stepped back from Link's hold as he frantically waved his hands. "No, No. I don't mean to entice you or pressure you in anyway. You just seem so curious about it, that's all!"
"It's ok" Link finally smiled again "I'm curious about it because I am curious about you. I will try it one day"
Ravio's head was still in a slow spin. He tried his best to keep both feet flat on the floor, although he rarely did.
"Do you feel better Mr. Hero?" He started humming in a low volume and slowly dancing in place.
"I feel somewhat calmer, but not better" Link sat on the rug "Ravio, earlier in the bar when you sang that other song, I felt something" Link wanted to figure out what was wrong with him, but he was inadvertently pushing his mind too far.
Ravio thought about the whole incident and was struck with the same feelings he had experienced then.
"What did you feel?" he asked.
Link tried his best to understand what was wrong, but he couldn't.
"A few days before the Blacksmith asked me to run out of the shop and find the Captain" Link shook his head lightly "I mean the day I met you. Uh…I mean, maybe since a week before that day. I started feeling strange feelings. I felt worried and anxious and scared, but I knew, or I know now those feelings weren't mine" Link didn't know why he spoke of that, or in that manner. He found himself rambling and stringing one barely complete thought to another. Much more in the way that Ravio usually spoke "It was as if I could feel and remember something I know I've never lived. But tonight. I feel… I feel I've lived something that I just cannot remember, and I don't remember how I feel about it"
Ravio was silent, slowly pacing around.
"NOO! NOOO!" out of nowhere the same blood curling cry haunted Link's ears as the same images of a rainy dusk flashed in front if his eyes again.
"I feel…I've…forgotten" Link's voice broke up, he swallowed hard and felt a pair of tears roll down his face.
At the very same time, two tears fell from Ravio's eyes as well. He saw Link shaking and then realized he too was trembling. He sat next to Link as he clumsily reached into his pockets. He held both hands in front of Link's face, offering him candy as the thought they could both benefit from a bit of sugar.
"I. can. bring some water." He said, pushing the words out of his mouth as best he could, he was on the verge of crying.
Link looked at what Ravio offered and felt as if all the warmth in his body had been drained towards his feet. He could see something. He could almost remember something
"I-it's?" he stuttered.
"Candied safflina flowers" Ravio said very quickly. It was his own recipe. He took a deep sobering breath to better control his speech "The yellow ones taste like lemon, the red ones taste like chili peppers…"
"And the blue ones taste like wintergreen" They once again finished Ravio's sentence in unison.
Link got up, shaking more violently than before. He took all the candies from Ravio's hands and replaced them with high value rupees. Ravio looked down at them. He was very confused with everything that was happening.
"For the items. I have to go" Link said as he took his cap in hand.
"Mr. Hero?" Ravio turned to look at him trying to figure out what was going on. Link did not indicate in any way that he had heard him.
Ravio put the rupees down and got up as soon as he realized Link was leaving.
"Mr. He…Link wait!" He tripped over himself but managed to fall on his hands and get up quickly, almost without any pause, but he was not fast enough; Link was already well out of sight by the time Ravio made it out the door.