Chapter 19: Royal Rendezvous
Samus knew her weaknesses and there was one weakness in particular which she disliked very much. She had a soft spot for children. It was not so bad that she would pinch their cheeks or run up to ruffle one's hair but there was something about their naïveté and that innocence in their eyes that she felt had to be treasured.
Aside from children she cared a lot about the people who had somehow managed to nestle themselves into a friendship with her. The bounty hunter would not describe herself as the typical "fight for your friends" type but she knew to appreciate the people around her. If she had the right to choose she would not call that a weakness.
The problem was that knowing her weaknesses was of little use when Link, one of her few precious friends, begged her of a favor. Especially if Link was in the form of a child with big blue eyes. Before she knew it she had agreed.
As thing were though, rethinking her decision to help him was out of question. The look in the boy's eyes was not anything you wanted to see in a child. If she recalled that hollow gaze it would make her shudder for sure. She would rather not think of it. What had she agreed to again?
Once Link had explained to her that the ever so innocent gentleman Marth had cheated him off his victory (how could he do that to a child?) and had snatched Zelda away she immediately set to work. Keeping an eye on them would be a piece of cake. It was easy knowing where to start because there could only be one person knowing of the royalties' location and that was Roy. Since the general was a friendly fellow Samus only had to start a conversation, bring up the date and Roy would spill the beans. After they had rejoiced over their friends' fortune in finding each other Samus could move on to ruining it.
So here she was in the city, feeling the cars swish by dangerously close when she made her way over to the restaurant Roy had told her about. Her suit effectively shut out the cold.
The evening had begun smoothly for Marth and Zelda. The Hylian Princess had, as she usually would have at home, pushed her worries (in this case lying to Link) to somewhere far back in her mind. She could not go and ruin this carefully thought-out dinner with low spirits.
The Princess had then, in her state of well aware denial, quickly grabbed something to wear over her dress from the closet. Every piece of garment was well sorted according to color and occasion so she had no trouble finding what she needed. Perhaps the short lilac cape was not a perfect match with the dress, it was of such a distinguishing quality, but it went well enough.
The princess took one long last look in the mirror. She really loved the subtle pattern weaved into the fabric of the dress. She liked the silvery shimmer when she moved. The cape went to her elbows and covered the tops of her white gloves. The hair was put up in a bun and since she had ended up with time on her hands she had even braided some of her hair to go along either side of her face to the bun in the back where they were fastened.
There was nothing else she could come up with to remain busy. A lady should always be on time too, unless circumstances demanded otherwise. Zelda had forced herself out the door, not necessarily meaning she did not want to go, and had casually walked through the living room and out the door. If she pretended like nothing there would be less of a chance being discovered and no one looked twice at her. She still felt like she was walking on eggshells.
Marth was already waiting outside. The first thing that came to Zelda's mind was how he could have managed to sneak outside unnoticed and she had to push away the mental images of Marth climbing out the window. The second thing she thought of was that his clothing appeared to go a bit too well with hers. Upon taking a closer look she could tell that it was the exact same fabric.
The outfit would most probably look awkward when worn unless it was specially tailored for one specific customer. That Marth could make it look good on him said plenty about his good posture, natural elegance and good looks. The subtle purple in the blue of the fabric did not even clash with the blue color of his hair. The perfection was close to unreal.
He adjusted the end of the sleeve of the long coat he was wearing, one of those you could wear indoors, and she could distinguish an expensive looking white shirt underneath.
"Welcome," he said smoothly and bowed upon finding her watching him. She curtsied, still in silent awe of the prince. He looked so different that it was near to a relief to find that he was wearing the usual tiara with its cobalt jewel.
The next thing to awe her was the vehicle behind Marth. She had been to the city, taken a cab and even had the joy of taking a ride with an F-Zero machine, but she had never seen such a big car. She could practically see her own reflection in the lacquer black as tar. In comparison, the windows looked like gaping black holes where she could see nothing.
"It's a limousine," Marth humbly informed her when he opened the door. He bowed and gestured for her to take a seat and when she bent down to climb inside she felt his hand on her back.
The inside was a whole lot more roomy than she had expected and the deep red seat looked like an antique couch. It looked more like a royal suite than the inside of a car. For instance, she was quite certain that a car was not a very good place to put a table. Marth sat down opposite of her, a glint of content over her open appreciation present in his cold blue eyes.
"I have never travelled like this," Zelda said, looking around a third time. The limo began to move and the engine barely made a sound. Zelda had figured that the journey would be bumpy because unlike an F-Zero machine this limousine had wheels, like cabs, and there was no road leading to the mansion. If you wanted to travel between the city and the house you had no choice but to cross the field. It was odd that she hardly felt that they were moving.
The dark window was cold when her forehead touched it. The starts twinkled happily back at the princess's admiring gaze. Zelda was already thoroughly enjoying herself.
"Marth, you have already exceeded my expectations," Zelda said and tore her eyes away from the night sky.
"Please, think higher of me," he said while pouring liquid into a conical glass. "Champagne?" he offered.
Everything felt like a dream. In the sense of how illogical the situation was. Zelda accepted the glass but could not drink a single droplet of it. The golden color, the transparency and those little bubbles that looked like tiny diamonds left her spellbound. Marth left his drink untouched too.
Before Zelda knew it, Marth reclaimed the glass in her hand to put both hers and his aside. It had been surprisingly enjoyable to sit in silence with a drink in hand but they had already reached their destination. He took the initiative to step out and hold the car door open for her. She obediently followed, conscious of the stares from the crowd in the street. She watched the car drive away, thinking how she had not thought about there being a driver at all.
"Shall we?" Marth said. He was already a few steps ahead and she hurried after. The very same moment she reached out to grab his arm he offered it for her. They were in sync to the point that it was frightening.
The moment they stepped into the shapeless building, it really looked like one giant brick made of mirrors, people were fussing over them, telling them how welcome they were and offering to take their coats. Zelda gave them her cape, Marth sent them away and brushed off his clean coat in a very resentful manner. His cold gaze would not leave them even when they drew away from him.
Nobody followed them to the elevator. For unknown reasons the workers suddenly preferred to linger behind in a cluster. The princess smiled at them while they stared at Marth in horror until the doors had closed completely. It would be nice to see what floor they would be spending their evening.
The feeling of being taken higher when completely isolated was quite pleasant. The elevator was roomy and bright too, with a large mirror behind them that neither Marth nor Zelda cared about. It seemed like the door would never open again.
"I regret that I am unable to personally recommend this restaurant."
It would appear that Marth had not intended to say that. Zelda took a good look at his not so very shocked face. The vague look of nausea was what had betrayed his slip-up. It made him look angrier than usual actually. He could not be worrying about what her opinion would be? Not him.
"I came for the company," she said and looked back at the closed doors. Just then a small ringing sound was heard, followed by the doors opening.
She was used to luxury but there was a small part of her that would turn into a fluttering feeling inside of her whenever something new tickled her interest. There were no walls, only windows, and the neon lights outside were like rainbow colored stars.
They were led over to one of the identical circle round tables by a waiter in a pastel green vest. The pearl white tablecloth reached the floor and the menus were already waiting on the table.
Zelda knew that she was not making any expression and Marth looked just as neutral when he held out the chair for her. When he moved away his fingers brushed the top of her back. It could just as well have been an accident and the waiter appeared to have missed it.
Zelda picked up her menu and read it slowly while the waiter and Marth patiently let her take her time. Once she put it down Marth caught sight of it and nodded, although he held on to his menu and the waiter turned to Zelda.
"May I take your order, your Highnesses?"
Marth did not react to his words, meaning he was pleased, and Zelda took it upon herself to offer a gentle smile while Marth skimmed through the menu one last time. He did not think that Zelda needed to know that he, with the help of Roy, had checked the whole menu beforehand and knew what was considered the best of the best.
The prince searched the princess gaze before he turned to the waiter who nodded at Zelda before facing away from her. It would seem that Marth had Zelda's approval to order for her.
"For the entrée, we will have the seared Pave de Foie Gras with candied white poireau and Fuji apple," Marth said without stumbling over a single syllable and not looking once at the menu. The waiter wrote it down in a swift but neat manner. No cold gazes from Marth.
"Excellent choice, and the main dish?"
"Chateaubriand for two carved tableside with truffle potato and vegetables," Marth cited the menu like he was repeating a learnt telephone number.
"That is our most recommended dish. What would you like to drink?"
"Sparkling water, to the both of us." He paused to look at Zelda who made an inclination of a headshake. "And a glass of wine for me alone."
"Certainly, what wine would your Highness like this evening?"
"Château Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande. "
"I will return with your order shortly," the waiter told them with a bow.
Quite a few stories down Samus was about to enter the building when she ran into a familiar face.
"What are you doing here, Aran?"
Captain Falcon put away the car keys he had been playing with and began to walk her way. She did not have time for him or any of his broad smiles. They stared at each other for a while, neither able to fully make out the other's eyes.
"Were you fleeing the field too? Bowser's cooking is not something I'd like to experience in a lifetime."
She had forgotten that Bowser was the one to cook tonight. It was just like her to be this lucky when being handed business. Which reminded her; she had no time to enjoy any smalltalk with Falcon.
Samus walked in through the open entrance and left the other bounty hunter waiting for her reply. People immediately rushed up to service her, with hints of rightful doubt in their eyes. She knew that she was not their typical customer, but being used to the treatment did nothing to ease her annoyance.
"You sure are picky," she heard Falcon's voice from behind. He looked around the place like he was appraising her choice of restaurant. It was hard to define the feeling his presence provoked. Why did he have to follow her? She walked faster to get rid of him, not seeing the generous tip he was giving the service people who had been eyeing him just as skeptically as her. With their pockets full of money they escorted him with warmth over to the elevator where Samus had repeatedly pressed the button to make the doors close before he reached her.
The doors began to close and Samus felt her unease slip away when suddenly the captain with unnecessary force stuck his big arm in-between the doors. They put up little resistance against his strength and did not get a chance to automatically reopen before he slid through and positioned himself beside her. He smiled but considering the circumstances it was scary.
"I've never eaten here before. Looks like a good place," Captain Falcon said and leant against the mirror behind them.
Like anyone would come here to eat.
The second the elevator opened Samus strode towards the banquette, immediately spotting Marth and Zelda over at the window straight ahead. She nonchalantly walked past the welcoming party who was too horrified by her ignorant behavior to be in any state to stop her. Falcon excused his friend and told them not to mind before he followed with a disheartened waiter in tow.
Samus discreetly sat down back to back with Zelda. Marth paid no attention to the surroundings and even very little obvious attention to Zelda, which meant that there was little risk of Samus being discovered. They royalties were just finished praising the view. She could not have missed much seeing how the only thing in front of them were glasses of water.
When Marth and Zelda were done exchanging compliments and had made sure that all was to their liking they fell silent. For being a date Samus had to say that the lack of dialogue was remarkable. Once they did start on a topic they choose politics of all things. The bounty hunter had seen enough corruption to form the belief that politics did nothing but slow things down. Why talk when you could do something about the problem?
Samus was fixating her gaze straight ahead, leant her elbows on the table and was completely disengaged from the world around her. While she was busy fearing that her ears would fall off due to the uninteresting and above all shallow talk between Marth and Zelda, it passed her by that a waiter was trying to take her order. The poor young man desperately tried to get her attention without disturbing his guest and could barely contain his tear-filled relief when Falcon made the order and sent him away.
Zelda and Marth had their food served after a silent pause of fifteen minutes. Samus was beginning to think that she had no reason for being there when they began to talk again and brought the conversation to a more personal level.
It turned out that they both had been put through rigorous trials in order to live up to people's expectations. Both had been forced to put aside their wishes and personalities to become what they were supposed to be. Both had lost their fathers at a young age and seen their lands overtaken by traitors (Samus could finally understand the tension between Ganondorf and the Hylians). The difference was that Zelda had been bound by destiny and forced to await the awakening of the hero while Marth had been fated to reclaim justice.
The whole thing sounded awfully depressing, but Samus had to wonder why Marth who had been able to do something about the situation was the one still being solemn. Zelda was quiet but she did not distance herself and she could smile at times. When they were together it was almost like they enjoyed being sad in a twisted way.
They were perfect for each other in a twisted way too. No wonder Link felt threatened by this pansy. When they sat here and shared their similar experiences in their cute matching outfits in a five star restaurant everything was too freaking perfect. They looked perfect. They acted perfect. They felt perfect.
It was sickly perfect.
Samus had to focus on something else for a moment, causing her to notice Falcon watching her over the brink of his glass. She leant forward and was about to ask him why he could not find something better to look at when he suppressed a laugh and looked away from her. She leant back in surprise.
Falcon put the glass down and Samus found her gaze dumbly glued to it. His yellow gloves disappeared out of view when he withdrew his hands.
"It's nothing," Falcon said. "You'll get mad."
If she knew him right the percentage that he would make her angry in this case was disturbingly high. Nonetheless, it felt like he better just spit it out if he was going to sit there and laugh. If you said A you better say B.
"You must like our little long-eared flower a lot if you're coming here to spy," Falcon said slyly before she could badger him. Samus felt her mouth fall open, a vein popping. "And here I thought that you and Link were friends," Falcon added, sounding more amused than regretful.
Why did he have to be such an idiot? She hated him for it. Why did he have to act all friendly and then assume that she was into Zelda of all things?
"I have to say though," Falcon went on thoughtfully. "That I did not think the little nun was the two-timing type."
He cursed under his breath for Link's sake and she felt like lunging a few curses herself if yet for another reason. She added a curse for Link.
"Didn't she go out with Link?" Falcon said degradingly. "I just don't get this medieval stuff."
"Neither do I," Samus concurred with a heavy sigh. Falcon's hand stayed on the glass he had been about to lift to his lips. At first she could not understand why he suddenly would stare at her speechlessly. It was with shame she came to realize that she had not spoken a word to him during the long time he had spent by her side, ever since the last tournament. She had said a few words but in comparison to Peach and Zelda, or normal people for the matter, whose voices would become lighter when agitated or happy, hers would turn lower and darker. She did not have a very feminine voice to begin with, or feminine manners. She did not like to admit it but something extra was always required for people to realize that she was indeed female. Nothing about her had been very feminine around him.
Samus shook her head. What was up with the sentimental rubbish? She was more realistic than this and could easily imagine several upcoming replies: "You're a woman?" A classic, true but she would probably pound his head in if he said it. "No wonder you don't talk" would be hard to take, "must be hard never hitting puberty" was equally bad and "who would have thought such a manly guy had such a girly voice" would be the worst possible thing to say.
Captain Falcon stroked his chin. "Your voice is not at all like how I remember it."
She could not say a word, only remove her hands from the table to look down on them. She used to be good at analyzing people.
Marth and Zelda ordered their dessert, ate it and asked for the check, all without Marth making a single move on the princess. Samus tapped a spoon against her helmet, about where her mouth was, while questioning Marth's sexual orientation. Even if he was straight he was not likely a threat, but she had to take that annoying perfection into account. This was hard.
She turned her head to take a sneak peek at them, just in time to see Marth help Zelda out of the chair and taking the opportunity to put an arm around her. If she had not known them they would have looked like a married couple, which made Samus want to throw her spoon at the prince.
"Your check, messieurs," a smooth voice interrupted from nearby. Samus could thanks to her helmet stare all she wanted at the waiter who suddenly wanted to get paid for the food she had not noticed until now. She may be a bounty hunter but she had definitely not taken any jobs during her stay at the mansion and although she often had more than plenty of money there was no way in Zebes that she could pay for a dinner at this place.
Samus snatched the check from its golden little saucer and nearly choked at the numerous zeroes. Tip was not taken into the account.
What were the alternatives? She could wait until Marth and Zelda had left to make a run for it. Then they could start all the commotion they wanted without the royalties finding out, but she could not lose sight of them. She could always break a window and go that way. With her grappling beam she could surely get down without falling which would mean death. Falcon would have to stay but each man for himself. She did not get further than that.
"Thank you, monsieur," the waiter said with a bunch of bills in his hands. He trotted away happily and Samus had a feeling that he had just been generously tipped. She felt her plans fade away and pretend they had never been thought of.
"What the…" she began. This idiot could not be rich. He was a bounty hunter too, was he not?
"My treat, but only this time. I want to know what the little missy is doing out with that guy."
Falcon had always been a prier. At least he always had to put his nose into her business while being terribly blunt. If he got the wrong idea about this, believing Zelda to be capable of cheating on a guy, not to mention think that she would understand the meaning of a date, he would tell Link without a doubt. Young Link had already convinced Samus that Link could never find out about this. Since the boy had promised to leave Marth and Zelda alone it would only mean pointless torment for his older self to know about them.
There was one thing that needed to be made clear before anything else.
"You're not paying my food," Samus told Captain Falcon.
"Relax, I took the cheapest thing on the menu. No offense, but I'm not going to waste my money when the one I'm eating with is a guy."
Samus's suit felt heavy all of a sudden. It was as if her heart had turned into metal. In blinded rage she elbowed herself past him and strode after Marth and Zelda. She wanted to get away as quick as possible without running away from him. She did not stop until she stood outside, exiting in time to see Marth and Zelda disappear in a limousine.
Samus really hated her life. She hated being angry too. What she felt like doing the most in that moment was to stomp her feet and curse at the top of her lungs. Her guard was down, which was why she was shocked to feel a weight on her shoulder. She whirled around and barely stopped her fist from hitting Falcon's cheek.
"Let's follow," he said and held up his car keys. "The Blue Falcon is parked just around the corner."
In order to keep her promise, Samus did not have much of a choice.
Captain Falcon zigzagged between cars while muttering comments about the different vehicles. If the wound from earlier had no longer been sore, Samus would have quite enjoyed listening to his rant. In comparison to talking to Peach or Zelda it felt nice to be able to listen to a topic you willingly liked. At times you really did not know you missed something until it was gone and in her case that was technical talk. Falcon's deep voice was no a pain in the ear either.
"What do you think they're doing?" Captain Falcon asked and awoke Samus from her pleasant break from reality. She looked out to find Marth and Zelda in front of the gates to a park. A closed park.
They did not have to wonder long because the prince unlocked the gates and brought Zelda inside. Samus felt the hunter in her itch to come out and play when she watched them through the black bars.
"He locked the gates," Captain Falcon growled, hanging over the wheel.
"Then we just have to climb over the wall."
Samus jumped out. They had parked a bit to the side and the couple had been walking quite a distance without Samus being faced with nothing but the back of their heads.
Zelda listened to the rhythmic sound of their steps on the asphalt. Marth's arm had been placed around her waist after the gates had been locked. It was the most comfortable way to walk because the road was barely wide enough for the two of them. The stars were erased by the city lights but in return Zelda was given a clear view of the park and the scattered groups of deciduous trees.
There was no point in asking Marth why he would have the keys to park. Zelda guessed that the lack of information she received from the prince meant that his intension was to keep her surprised the whole evening and who was she to rob him of that pleasure?
"You are not cold, Zelda?"
"Not at all."
"There is a lake just beyond that hill," Marth said. When she turned around to face him it felt like he pulled her a little bit closer. She was no used to having anybody's face that close and it made her feel dizzy. Instinctually, she pulled away and Marth callously let go of her.
There was not only a lake waiting for them. A boat rental was located by the left bank. To Zelda the tiny shack ruined the otherwise beautiful picture somewhat. The surface was like a mirror. If only the invisible stars had been able to be reflected by it like the few weeping birches by the shoreline.
"If you do not mind," Marth said coldly, breaking the silence. She barely got a look of his profile before he walked out on the bridge.
"I am not accustomed to such intimacy," Zelda told him out of the blue. She was hardly in the mood to have yet another trouble picking and pecking on her, definitely not if the other troubles were due to sacrifices for this evening.
"I know," he said and lifted her into one of the identical rowboats. He agilely followed and took place by the oars. Zelda was not so ignorant that she did not know what physical effort was needed to row even a small boat, nor was it above her knowledge that a certain technique was required. Marth must have noticed her doubt somehow because a sly smile graced his lips.
"If you have a fear of drowning you can safely entrust the oars to me."
"A little bit of water will not leave me worried, I am merely anxious about your wellbeing, Marth."
"Zelda, a little bit of wood should not leave you worried about me."
Her fingertips brushed her lips when a tinkling laugh escaped her mouth. Marth began to row, throwing her a glance every now and then. They both needed those moments of looking at each other and she was sitting in the stern, watching him even when he looked away.
"You really are not cold?" Marth asked and Zelda shook her head in response.
"You wonder why I mind that you took the oars?"
Marth froze and stopped rowing but the boat kept gliding. Zelda stared back at the prince. That voice could not have been?
"I've seen the brochures, Samus. This is where the girl in the laced dress sits with a cute little parasol. Just look at Marth and Zelda, who's sitting in the stern?" Captain Falcon complained. It was quite a feat of Samus to be able to row a boat considering that she could not grip the oar with her right hand. She was good at it anyway and quickly approached the royalties' boat while completely ignoring the sulky Captain Falcon.
Marth bit his tongue to snap out of the shock that had left him numb and fervently tried to row away from them. It could not be possible to have the two bounty hunters there. He had rented the park to make sure that they would have it to themselves so how come that Samus and Captain Falcon were here now? How did they even find them?
The bounty hunters came up alongside the royalties and Zelda gave them a quizzical look.
"Don't mind us," Captain Falcon said and made himself more comfortable where he sat, unfolding his arms and wiping off his sour expression. "We just felt like going out on the lake for a bit."
"My, I thought that the park had closed," Zelda said, starting up a friendly chat with the captain that remained next to her due to Samus pursuing Marth in his every try to escape them.
"I couldn't wait till it opened and besides, it's not like we're going to do any bad stuff so don't tell anyone you saw us."
"Well, I cannot defend such actions but if your intensions are pure I promise not to betray your trust."
"Aren't you haughty tonight? You're here too, right?"
Samus and Marth each slammed an oar down on his head. Falcon had never been happier to wear a helmet.
"Marth has the keys," Zelda informed Captain Falcon, not knowing about him spying on them earlier. "You are not hurt?"
Captain Falcon felt like asking Zelda how she thought that Marth got his hands on those keys but the amused grin he flashed Marth was washed of his face when he caught sight of the prince. Marth's composure was beginning to crack and it was not a pretty sight. Having a man that gave the impression of being able to be broken into two between one's fingers give off such a murderous stare was unnerving. It was like having a cute doll lash out at you with a knife.
Marth could guess why they were here ruining things for him. They were in an alliance with the imbecile. Why else would they show up in a closed park in the middle of a night when he had been lucky enough to get to spend some much needed time with Zelda?
"Princess Zelda," Marth said with a strained voice. He forced his ice-cold fury down beneath the surface and went on in a more pleasant tone. "Let us have a change of plans. This must already have left you weary and may I suggest that we take our time to reach our next destination instead of wasting any more time in this atrocious place."
"If you are the one to suggest it I have no complaints," Zelda said and turned to Falcon and Samus before Marth could get them too far away from them. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye? We'll see about that," Captain Falcon murmured deviously which made an equally devious smile spread over Samus's lips. She was lucky that no one could see it.
The next destination was the movies. Front row seats, a big popcorn and two cokes later Marth finally felt at ease again. They were playing promos on the big screen, Zelda was enjoying herself although the popcorn and soda were cheap, the theatre was dark and the chairs were comfortable. The moment was not perfect but it would definitely do. It was hard to make anything feel good when you sat crammed with a bunch of peasants that could not chew their food properly. If there was a fat guy that took up the whole armrest too, it did not improve the situation. Marth inched closer to Zelda and noticed that she had left room for him on the shared armrest.
"I am touched," he whispered and put his hand over hers. She must have been startled because she gave their hands a long glance before looking back at the guy on the screen waving a cell phone at the audience.
"Sorry, coming through."
That voice felt horribly familiar.
"Are these our seats?"
Samus and Captain Falcon dropped into the two seats behind Marth and Zelda. Immediately a kid began to wail about not seeing anything and Samus who felt her heart melt at the sight of the little child behind her made Falcon switch places with her. She could admit that her suit was in the way during times like these and for the child's sake she ignored the angry huffs from the mother who was now behind her.
"Popcorn?" Falcon offered.
"No thanks." She could not risk taking off her helmet in public, although it would be fun to see the effects it would have on Marth and Zelda's perfect date. They looked very out of place in their nice matching outfits. Seeing the nice fabric made her consider pouring her drink into Marth's lap. That neat freak would probably throw a fit in the middle of the movie. What would Zelda think about that?
"What are we watching by the way?" Captain Falcon tapped her on the shoulder to ask.
"Dunno."
Marth did his best to ignore them. Ignoring people was his specialty so how come he found it to be this hard all of a sudden? The bounty hunters were like footsteps in a fresh layer of snow, ugly, disturbing and glaring.
"I have already finished my Coca-Cola, will you please share?" Marth asked Zelda, leaning in to leave Falcon and Samus outside his range of vision when turning to face the princess. The he felt something land on his lap.
"Have mine," Samus said when Marth picked up the bottle of strawberry lemonade. He was about to give it back when Zelda turned around in her seat.
"How kind of you, Samus."
Marth unscrewed the cork and tortured himself by drinking the sickly sweet lemonade. How could anyone drink this without vomiting? Meanwhile Samus stuttered out a short reply to Zelda's flattery before she noticed Falcon smirking beside her.
"Oh, no, I know what you're thinking and it's not what you think. Stop looking at me like that."
"You're so kind, Samus," Captain Falcon said, not quite pulling off a sweet tone.
"Shut up," she snarled and punched him.
Marth suffered. He suffered through the whole movie. Samus and Captain Falcon were not only loud but both of them also had the eyes of a hawk it turned out. If he so much as leant towards Zelda they would force him over to the fat guy on the other side. Roughly and Crudely.
Otherwise he felt that he could really have liked the cinema. To be alone in the dark without having to say much, maybe share a drink and put an arm around the girl. How could he have let this been ruined? He was Marth of Altea and yet he could not even hold two loud annoyances at bay.
"I hate chick flicks," Falcon said, tossing the empty popcorn container in a trash can on the way out. He and Samus had pointed out flaws before the ending credits began to roll and had kept it up to the exit.
"Yeah, this must make the top ten of the most girlish movies I have ever seen," Samus agreed.
"The ending was just a bit too happily ever after."
"Especially after that sappy twist."
"We should diss another movie sometime, Aran."
"I'd actually…" Samus began slowly, not believing these words were coming out of her. "…Like that."
"Then it's decided, hey, Princess, need a ride home?"
Marth had been striding ahead of them with Zelda's hand in a tight grasp, unable to flee the bounty hunters that easily kept up with them. The prince did not wish to walk at a pace uncomfortable to Zelda, which was a major problem in this case. He had been hurrying to the limo, in hopes of saving the date during the ride home. How dared they offer her a ride? He whirled around before Zelda had the time to react to Falcon's question.
"My condolences, but I shall see to her safe return," Marth said venomously.
Samus tore Zelda's hand away from Marth's.
"Save him the expenses, Zelda, and let him send the limo away. We'll give him a ride too."
Marth's mouth fell open, his intense protests too strong to be made into sound. That vile futuristic half woman. That was the correct way to make Zelda sway, he knew that. He could already see her thinking about his money, like that would ever be anything to worry about. The funds and treasury had been left untouched during the days of war and he had paid the expenses of his army with whatever valuable things they had come across during their battles. The fortune had grown to fantasy amounts during his absence.
"Him too? I'm not sure there's enough room," Falcon said hesitantly but was ignored by Samus and the prince who were staring fiercely at one another.
"If there will be trouble for you we can go alone," Zelda offered Captain Falcon. Leaving Zelda alone with Marth was out of question.
"Nonsense, of course you'll come with us," Captain Falcon said and towed Zelda in the direction of the Blue Falcon. Marth scurried after, unwilling to be more than three steps away from the princess and Samus in tow since she refused to let him that close without anybody keeping an eye on him.
"You are not cold?" Marth asked Zelda once he reached her side.
"No, I am not, but thank you for your concern."
Marth eyed the light cape around her shoulders. The smallest of trembles caught his notice and he grabbed the button in the front. Zelda was pulled around to face him, feeling a gust of cold air hit her upper arms and neck area when the purple cape was torn off her. Marth unbuttoned his coat and wrapped it around her tenderly, making sure that she pulled her arms through it and then closed it in the front himself.
Neither Samus nor Captain Falcon had been able to foresee Marth's action and could do nothing but watch. Samus hated the sight of it, Marth's hand lingering on her body and Zelda in the barely too large coat that was of the same material as her dress. Marth in a white shirt and pants of the same color as what Zelda wore. That nagging perfection which she loathed.
"Define cold," Marth mumbled close to Zelda's lips before Samus sprung to action and separated them. Marth did not mind too much though, just a little. He had been able to do something at least, which left them to be the losers and him the winner. Sweet victory.
They squeezed themselves into the F-Zero machine and Captain Falcon had a hard time deciding where Zelda would sit. He could not have her on his lap while driving and the two others both had a crush on her it would seem. He settled for Samus in the end and then they drove back home. Marth cursed the bounty hunters that he had missed the opportunity of a private goodbye.
So annoying. I had of this planned out but it would not let itself be put into words. As things are now it would seem that the next chapter will deal with a lot of drama (fights and confrontations!) which I quite enjoy. Link will have to find out about this.
This chapter makes me laugh because of the stupid setup. "Marth, you are so handsome", "What a big car, Marth", "You're so rich, Marth". God, I really think that things like that won't win Zelda over but it sure sounds like it.
Where I live it is popular among young people to sit in the far back when going to the cinema… Marth put them in the front… Hmm…
Once I settled for the waiter's vest to be green the whole restaurant turned green in my imagination (I love combining different shades of one color) which led to a scene that I did not include. I can just imagine Marth turning to the waiter as they are about to leave and smoothly say something like: "I am afraid that I had to lower your tip. Please, change this dreadful color scheme before my return or you might have to close down." (Because green reminds him of Link). I also did not include Zelda cheering Marth up by insisting that they buy something small to remember the evening by.
The waiter's name is Sean by the way. No special reason there, it just came to me.
And (sniffle) thank you for the lovely reviews. I am truly grateful. They are so much fun to read.