Things had gotten surprisingly quiet around the castle. Five days had passed since the incident; news of the vire and demon had seeped into every region of the kingdom, flying fast in the feet of couriers and merchants.
Zelda now spent her days trying to assuage the country's fears. Countless meetings with advisors and officials crowded her day, forcing her into the exhausting dance of politics.
Fi also noticed how quiet Ghirahim was now that he was through the worst of his wounds. They walked in silence as he followed her on her rounds. His shoulder was still bandaged, but he seemed unbothered by it. Though he kept his posture high, the demon's sharp eyes were dull and clouded, as if he was always far away. He never smiled. Ghirahim just stayed close behind Fi, carefully matching her stride and path. A maid even bummed him while she was carrying her things. She yelped, tensing as if preparing for the worst. Surely he would scold her; surely Fi would have to come between them just to get the barrage of insults to stop. But the attack never came. Ghirahim ignored her, his gaze never leaving the distant place they found themselves trapped in. Fi had to be the one to dismiss her.
Today, Fi was to meet Zelda in the parlor once her rounds her complete. The parlor was tucked away in the back of the main hall. A cold hearth surrounded by comfy chairs and sofas. Between two chairs was an active game of chess. Zelda and Impa must have been playing again. The perfect place to sit on a dreary day and relax. That's probably why Zelda chose this spot; storm clouds gathered in the sky all morning, casting a melancholy spell over Castle town.
They were early. Fi hovered over to the unfinished chess game. She studied each move that was made and yet to be made. Impa was in the retreat this time, but nothing spelled defeat. She found herself wondering what Ghirahim thought. He no doubt enjoys strategy; perhaps this could capture his interest. Fi turned around about to ask, but he was gone. She scanned the room and found him curled up on one of the ballroom's many bay windows. This one was even decorated with pillows.
His foot dangled over the edge of the windowsill while the other was tucked close to his chest. His right arm hugged his leg, and his knees proved a place to rest his chin. Leaning against the glass, his fingers lazily traced the diamond lattice separating each crystalline shard.
Fi's gaze lingered on him. Something, guilt was the logical choice, poked at her heart. Ghirahim had been so talkative before their argument and during his illness, but now...its like his feverish ramblings never occurred. She moved around the sofa and opened her mouth to ask him his thoughts on the game when a familiar voice stopped her.
"Ah! I knew you'd beat me here."
Zelda chirped as she approached. A silky dress hugged her features but not so much as to be unmodest. Her regalia proudly rested on her head, and more jewelry was woven onto her golden locks. Impa was following close behind, a disgruntled frown on her features. Fi gave a small curtsy, and Zelda motioned for her to follow her back by the armchairs. Zelda plunked down in one with a rather unladylike sigh.
"Oh, Fi, you wouldn't believe the day I've had. Impa nearly strangled someone."
Zelda laughed, garnering a groan from the sheikahan warrior. Fi stepped aside for Impa.
"Please don't remind me. Politicians can be worse than beasts. I'll tell you this. That one in the blue needed slaying."
Impa stated matter-of-factly as she made her way over to the seat across from Zelda though her wary eyes lingered on Ghirahim for a moment.
"He was getting on my nerves too, but it is the way of things," Zelda replied, gesturing a hand to Impa. "I believe it is your go."
Impa finally smirked and leaned back in her chair, studying the board state.
"Is that true, Fi? I would love to believe you, Princess, but you can be a hopeless cheat sometimes."
"Affirmative. White's last move was a knight to H4."
Zelda pouted, "Fi, you weren't even here. How could you know that?"
Fi was about to answer when Impa made her move with a chuckle. "No need to answer that, little sprite."
Fi remained silent though she allowed a small smile to grace her features. Zelda and Impa continued to banter as Zelda attempted to debunk Impa's earlier statement about cheating. She always liked sitting in on these moments between them. Though...
"I do not cheat. It's not wise to speak in absolutes."
Impa rolled her eyes and shrugged. Zelda made her move before her face lit up.
"Oh! I almost forgot. Link should return to the castle in about a day or so here."
Fi was not listening. Her attention was back on Ghirahim. Zelda clapped once to get the sword spirit's attention. Fi jumped and turned back to Zelda. The princess smiled sweetly.
"Did you hear what I said? Link is returning in a day or so. Hopefully, he has some insight or a fun story to tell."
Fi smiled and nodded though she noted a twitch in Zelda's eye an the tactful omition of the fact that Link coming home meant Ghirahim would be killed "I concur."
Happiness was a rare theing for her to feel, but she had learned it from her adventures with the young hero all those centuries ago. Fi hoped Link was ok after his trip. Though that feeling shot through her again and commanded her eyes back over to Ghirahim, who seemed none the wiser about their conversation. Her frown returned. Would he be upset to see Link after all this time? The probably death sentence might cement that, but Ghirahim was hard to read at times and he had been already lost to delirium that day in the throne room. Was Ghirahim even aware of the looming consequences?
"Have you tried speaking directly to him?" Zelda inquired, eying the sword spirit with a smirk. Fi opened her mouth to speak, but she hesitated. Who was she talking about? Zelda then made a gesture with her hand toward the demon in the room, and Fi understood. Yes, she had considered that in her calculations; the odds were in her favor, but she had yet to act upon the probability fully, but...Fi disliked asking questions. She still had yet to seek answers to all of her questions with Ghirahim as it was. Zelda then silently urged her to go, and Fi, not wanting to disappoint, did as she was instructed and floated over to Ghirahim.
The sky outside darkened, and there was a distant rumble of thunder. Ghirahim stiffened as Fi approached. He even straightened up. Did he know what she was going to ask? Had his despondent nature been a ruse? A single drop of rain struck the window, followed by another as the thunder grew closer. Fi took a moment to gather herself.
"Chess is the famous and captivating dual of strategic acuity."
She stated simply. Starting with something simple might give the inevitable a proper segway. Fi braced herself to ask the question. The dreaded form of speech that she loathed. The words smoldered at the back of her throat, and her mind rallied against the onslaught of her pride weathered only by the greater desire to fulfill the princess's request. This had been so much easier when Ghirahim was sick when she knew he would forget her foolishness. Rehearsing the inquiry once more in her head, Fi opened her mouth, but it clicked closed when Ghirahim pulled himself from the window sill.
Fi stepped back as the demon pushed past her, and Fi gaped as he hurried away. He was in full stride within moments, and his sudden actions even drew the attention of Zelda and Impa. Fi was about to ready herself, but she could see his aura. Making a gesture with her hand, Fi stopped Impa from giving chase before she hastily followed in the warrior's stead. Ghirahim rushed into the main foyer, practically gliding across the shiny tiles. Fi pushed with all her might to catch him. Ghirahim's figure darted to the right and slipped outside with nary a sound. Fi, on the other hand, nearly knocked over the guards as she skidded to a stop; a distant rumble grew closer. Fi rallied, chasing the demon through the narrow hallway out into the courtyard. However, she stopped just under the awning.
There Ghirahim stood, just a few strides away. His face was upturned to the sky; he seemed to bast in the stillness.
"What are you doing?" She demanded; her mind raced as she searched for any logical answer to his sudden rash action. Ghirahim did not answer, and Fi was about to continue when she stopped, enraptured at the beginning whispers of rain. She watched as he outstretched his hands. The first drops to hit hissed away into steam, and his body twitched with each one. She could see his aura, how it shimmered but quavered, desperate but gleeful, ready to sing loudest of all with the chorus of thunder that rumbled in a symphony of rain. The sky darkened, as did the light around Ghirahim, and the breath caught in Fi's throat.
And then...the clouds let go.
Sheets of rain fell from the heavens, and water began to pool on the cobbles, and any poor soul caught unawares rushed inside against the deluge. Fi staggered out of the way of the doorframe as people hurried to get out of the storm. She hesitated but floated out into the weather to try and bring him back. The rain parted around her as if it could not touch her. Fi rounded his shoulder and stopped at the sight.
Droplets ran down over his brow and down the bridge of his nose to cascade off his chin. His eyes were closed against the assault, and a small smile rested on his lips. Not the wicked one like he always had that radiated a sense of haughty charisma, but a sweet one that seemed foreign on his features. Tiny puddles gathered in his palms before spilling away in between his fingers. The rest of his form and clothes were soaked through even his makeup ran, but there was an air of peace around him like he was lulled into a sense of calm by the storm, like the water was able to wash away anything that threatened to blemish his sudden change in mood.
Fi looked away; it was as though she was intruding where she was unwelcome, but then why did she want to be a part of this moment with him? it felt so simple but so complex, and it was nothing she had ever seen. Fi hated herself for it, but she looked back anyway.
The torrent died away into a light fall as the storm moved on in its song after the crescendo. Ghirahim was looking down now at his hands as the water fell from them. Fi stiffened, and his gaze flicked over to her. Her eyes met his own. The usually harsh black irises were now rich and warm like the darkest chocolates, and they reminded Fi of a Farone Silk pie.
Ghirahim flicked the excess water from his arms and chuckled. "I apologize for that. I have a particular affection for thunderstorms."
Fi nodded dumbly, and it was as if he read her thoughts because his chuckle drew into a laugh. It was light and humorous, but no shivers went through her spine.
Was she still looking upon the same man? Not even the Ghirahim she saw in the presumed past matched this levity.
"Alright," He sighed, his studied his fingers that were stained pink after he wiped his face. Ghirahim also regarded his now soaked bandages as well. "I think it's time to go inside."
Ghirahim took one last look at the courtyard. He drank in the sight and partook deeply in the scent of petrichor before turning around.
"Why do you like thunderstorms?"
Fi's words had come back, and now she had two questions hanging in the air, but strangely this one did not sting like that last one. It just fell from her lips like a quiet request.
"I don't like them. I love them, and I can honestly say they are one of the few things I do love anymore."
Fi scoffed, yelped, then cringed at this series of uncontrolled reactions from her. Ghirahim snorted, but his grin widened. He even twirled his finger in his hair.
"I know it must be a surprise that I could love something, especially something that tends to ruin my appearance, but it's worth the trouble."
Fi followed Ghirahim under the awning, and with a snap, a towel appeared in his hands, and he used it to clean and dry his face. The pink streaks were wiped away pretty easily, at least. He looked her over and cocked an eyebrow.
"How are you not wet?"
"I do not succumb to the effects of weather as the result of my being."
"Hm, I see...an unfortunate side effect, I would say."
"Are there unseen benefits to standing out in the rain? I have studied no positive correlation between performance or health and standing in the rain. Often the opposite is true. The rain lowers body temperature increasing the demands on the body; thus, more people succumb to sickness after exposure."
Fi said, earning a look from the demon before her.
"Maybe not physical ones. For me, thunderstorms..." He trailed off, turning his head. His eyes glazed over with sad reflection. "remind me of home."
Fi nodded, cataloging his response so she could adjust her equations and knowledge accordingly.
"So many things have changed since you were last here; it can seem like a completely different place. I assure you that there still are some familiar sights--"
"Hyrule is not my home." Ghirahim snapped, his charcoal eyes coming back into focus. Fi flinched, and her frown worsened. Ghirahim sighed and took a deep breath.
"Yes, though, you are correct. it does not help that the land has changed so much." He added, hoping that would ease her concern. He seemed to feel bad for snapping at her like that. It's not like she would know any better.
"If I remember correctly, you were talking to me about chess? I would have answered, but I haven't been in the proper state of mind to really engage in conversation."
Fi brightened up in her own way, and Ghirahim gestured for her to lead him back inside. Fi obliged, but before Fi could get far, Ghirahim stopped again. She eyed him suspiciously, wondering what the problem could be now.
"Thank you, by the way. For not kicking my face in when I rushed away."
He whispered, his hand rubbing the towel across his wet hair. Fi nodded, allowing herself a small smile. Ghirahim smiled back before they resumed walking back into the main hall, where Zelda and Impa waited. Perhaps someone had finally won.