Encroach
"Excuse me," a young lady shyly beckoned. "Are you, by any chance, the woman looking for that awful sword?"
"What?" she replied, irked. "Buzz off. And my name is Midna."
"Oh, of course," the girl turned pink, but still smiled almost reverently. "I didn't mean to offend. I just think it's so wonderful, what you're doing."
As she gushed, Midna raised an eyebrow.
"Save your breath. I haven't found the blade, if that's what you're on about."
Link surreptitiously choked back a strangled laugh.
"That doesn't diminish how brave and selfless you are!" the girl continued. "It must be so terrifying to pit yourself against that monster for so long, all by yourself."
"Yeah, Midna," Link snickered. "Terrifying, isn't it?"
"That thing's a real pain, I'll give you that much," she quipped, more towards Link than her admirer. "Sometimes I wonder why I even bother."
"It's not like I haven't heard about everything else you've done, all those people you've saved!" the girl quickly blustered. "You're a…"
"A what?" Midna snapped.
The girl drew back, intimidated, but mustered herself and pressed on regardless.
"A hero! You're a hero, and heaven knows we need more of those in these times."
"Listen, you deluded girl-"
But she would have none of it, and seized Midna's arm, who was so surprised she actually let it happen.
"My name's Anju," she insisted. "Our village has the best coffee you'd find anywhere. Do you like coffee? I absolutely love coffee. Please, I…simply have to thank you somehow for all you've done."
"Let go, you crazy-"
"Oh, she'd love to!" Link cut her off. "Wouldn't you, Midna?"
Midna fixed him with her most withering of looks, and to his credit, he only kept smiling as he prodded her to accompany Anju.
"I'll get you for this," Midna promised, and Link laughed, before leaning in.
"Y'see?" he whispered, and she was bewildered as his smile slanted wistfully. "I'm not the only one who's noticed how exceptional you are."
"A-Are you her boyfriend?" Anju bit her lip almost impatiently. "You can come along if you want-"
"Oh, I'm fine! Make sure she has fun," he waved them off.
"Whatever," Midna sighed, not having it in her to care any longer.
And she let herself be dragged along as Link lingered behind.
Author's Note: I'm sorryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy for the waiiiiiit. Hopefully I'll whip the next one up for you in no time at all to compensate. Also see what I did there? With Anju? And…the coffee…? And…I'M HILARIOUS OKAY SHUT UP.