A/N: Thanks to my readers (Both of you!) for reviewing. The story's not quite started yet but it will be more action packed when she reaches the lost woods.
In response to your individual questions…
Steeple333:
The railway scene (and quite a few others later on) was inspired by a simular chapter or the Ethel Turner novel Seven little Australians. I've never read Wicked.
The Lady Gemini:
The concept of an evolving Hyrule isn't new. In my 6 years experience reading (and sometime writing) fanfics I've come across several "Modern day" Zelda fics. I Love the nineteenth century… I love Zelda and I wanted something new to write that nobody has ever done before. The idea of a fic in the Steampunk Genre appealed to me and I also wanted to make references to ALL the Zelda games. Not just OoT.
Also. I know the chapters are short it's intentional.
OK Enjoy the Chapter
Chapter 2: A Mishap in the Malon-Lon Hotel
Lon-Lon Ranch is a very deceptive name. Although there is a ranch there the place most people associate with Lon-Lon Ranch is a mile east of Lon-Lon Ranch itself. The Place known, as Lon-Lon Ranch is in fact a station and small village built on the borderland of the Lon-Lon estate and the heart of this tiny one horse town is the Train Station and the Malon-Lon Hotel. The Hotel is a triple-story brick building, which was built to complement the Victorian brick of the station buildings. The square that makes up the majority of the village is paved with clean cut stones and there is a wrought iron drinking fountain in the middle of the square, built on a dais which bears a plague informing the drinker that it was paid for by Emily Lon-Lon of Lon Ranch in order to prevent "unsuitable methods of relieving thirst."
As Carrie walked through this square to the hotel she noticed that the Deku Scrub family was now standing on their trunk trying to give on of their tiny Deku children a drink.
The hotel was surprisingly lavish inside. The bar, which was traditionally found in country establishments, was off to one side through a large open doorway, and the sounds of rowdy drunkards made Carrie decide to get a room very quickly. The receptionist was a girl in her mid twenties who looked very much like all the other receptionists and bombchu bowling attendants since the dawn of time. She gave Carrie the key to room 42B and another staff member led Carrie upstairs to the first floor. Carrie tipped him with a five-rupee note and the man bowed before leaving her with her luggage.
The room itself was quite nice as far as Carrie was concerned. It had a single wrought iron and brass bed, dressing table, wardrobe and a bedside table with a brass spirit lamp. Carrie complemented this with a framed sepia pictograph of her family, which she placed next to the lamp. Soon she realized she was hungry and decided to go downstairs and get something to eat…
The bar was still quite rowdy so the barman, a man with balding black hair and a moustache named Barten gave her a table far away from the majority of the heavy drinkers.
Midway through the meal she noticed that the men on the other side of the room were laughing and shouting at a young girl, perhaps 14 or 15. The men were pushing her around and soon they had shoved the frightened girl in front of a piano and were coaxing her to sing and play from them. Holding back a choking sob the girl sang a haunting country melody…
(to the tune of Epona's Song)
"Missing you, Missing you,
Like the rolling plains,
Sunlight brings healing hope
Clouds bring gentle rain
Little one, Little one,
Child, I adore
Spirit runs wildly
Free once more"
Hard times may come here
But hard times will go
But you'll be free in your soul
Good times will stay here and we'll never part
'cause I'll be with you in your heart
Missing you, Missing you,
Like the rolling plains,
Sunlight brings healing hope
Clouds bring gentle rain
Little one, Little one,
Child, I adore
Spirit runs wildly
Free once more
My time on earth is over but yours has just begun
My final verse has almost been sung
When you are sad and lonely just sing this simple song
Then you'll know that you still belong.
Missing you, Missing you,
Like the rolling plains,
Sunlight brings healing hope
Clouds bring gentle rain
Little one, Little one,
Child, I adore
Spirit runs wildly
Free once more"
The girl's sweet pure voice seemed to flow through the bar and by the end of the song the drunk men had calmed down and some had even began suggesting that they should go home to the "Missus." Now out of peril the girl eventually stopped trembling and Carrie approached her and comforted the young girl who collapsed in Carrie's arms. "Please," the girl begged. "Don't send me back." The girl's eyes welled up with tears and she fainted in Carrie arms.