The stark white walls of the infirmary always frightened me. They were too spotless; too empty. Even now, sitting by Link's side, I still felt my skin crawl. Trying not to fidget, I carefully leaned forward to catch a glimpse of his face. As usual, he presented a calm front. Despite the bruises dappling his skin, his eyes still held their quiet intensity. As I took in his expression he caught me staring, and broke his stoicism to give me a reassuring smile. I immediately felt at ease, and the urge to squirm ebbed.

"Well you should be fine." The head nurse strode back into the room with a glass and two small pills. "You applied ice to the worst bruises for long enough. I'm afraid all we can do is wait for them to heal." She held out the glass, "These will dull the pain though." Link nodded, and took the pills in his hand gratefully.

"Honestly…I don't understand why Mido picks so many fights.." The nurse muttered and retreated back to her office once more. I offered Link a sympathetic smile, "You should probably take those, they'll help with the pain." I advised, noticing he was blankly staring at the pills. He hesitated a moment, and shook his head, offering them to me instead. "What..but Link you're hurt..I don't need them." Despite my protests, he was adamant. I sighed and slipped the pills into my pocket.

No sooner had we exited the infirmary wing when Mother Abigail excitedly approached me.

"Oh Saria you have a big day ahead of you!" Her wise eyes were sparkling with a renewed sort of energy. Though I was still a bit shaken up from Link's bout with Mido, her happiness was infectious, and I felt a grin spreading across my own face.

"Yes Mother?"

"Today is a visiting day!" She gushed, "I showed several families that wonderful little poem you wrote, and they all want to meet you Saria! Isn't that just wonderful?" I felt my heart skip a beat. A family really wanted me? Before I could respond Mother Abigail took my hands. "Let's go get you all prettied up dear." My head was still reeling in shock, never had a family specifically requested to interview me. I had brief interactions with parents, but I never left much of an impression. But as I looked to my side and saw Link's near emotionless face I was pulled back down to reality.

"What about him Mother? He's never been able to meet a family…" I looked up at her earnestly, praying that he would get his time to shine as well. As soon as I spoke Mother Abigail's face seemed to pale a bit, and she quickly glanced at Link. I turned to look at him too, and felt a twinge of fear. I hadn't bothered thinking of how other people would see him; as a silent ruffian who would cause nothing but trouble. His swollen black eye wasn't helping matters.

"Maybe next time." Mother Abigail replied and gave Link a light pat on the shoulder. "Now now the families will be arriving in less than an hour!" She lead me down the hall at a brisk pace. I barely had a chance to wave goodbye to Link as we disappeared into the girl's quarters.

I did not recognize the girl before me. The hair that normally fell freely around her ears was pulled into a tight pony tail. A pastel colored dress overflowing with frills billowed lightly around her knees. Even the aura about her seemed different; a prim and proper lady masked the rambunctious adventurer.

"You look beautiful." One of the Sisters breathed as she placed a single flower in my lap. I forced myself to smile, watching self consciously as my reflection in the mirror awkwardly twitched her mouth.

"Do you think they'll really want to adopt me?" I asked, feeling a bit timid in this formal apparel. The Sister smiled warmly at my reflection and nodded, "They'd be fools not to Saria."

As the Sisters fussed over the last details, I noticed several of the younger girls in the room shooting me glares. I shifted nervously under their harsh stares and pretended not to notice. I let out a small sigh of relief as Mother Abigail finally returned and lead me to the meeting room. She sat me down in a small chair and gave me one last smile.

"The best of luck to you Saria." And with that she disappeared, leaving me in the empty room. No sooner had she left, when I heard the main door creak open. That might be a family…I held my breath in anticipation.

"Welcome!" That was Mother's voice. Followed by that I heard what sounded like a man respond, and a muffled conversation. Suddenly the sound of footsteps began echoing in the hall outside. I felt my face flush in anticipation and counted the seconds until they arrived. Before I could reach twenty, the door to the meeting room swung open.

"Oh what a precious young thing!" A middle-aged woman exclaimed and scurried to the chair across from me. She had black hair, with several silver streaks running through. Covering most of her hair was a winter hat, and a matching coat. She had a plump face, and at the moment, couldn't stop smiling.

"You must be Saria! Oh it's so nice to meet you!" She extended a pale hand covered in rings for me to shake. Still a bit shocked, I leaned forward to shake it shyly.

"Your poem was so delightful, my husband and I have just been dying to meet you!" As if on cue a man about the same age stepped into the room. He seemed much more reserved than his wife, and offered Saria a casual smile as he took a seat across from me as well.

"Edgar Leighman, and my wife, Louise." His voice rumbled, and he gave his exuberant wife an amused smile before shaking my hand as well. The anxiety I had felt before seemed to be growing, threatening to explode and send me into a state of shock.

"N-nice to meet you." I finally managed, and gave both of them a shy smile. This seemed to send the woman into another fit, and she began practically bouncing in her seat.

"So Saria tell us all about yourself." She propped her elbows on the table like a school girl, and watched me intently. As she leaned forward to listen I felt my mind finally begin to function properly again. Come on Saria…this is your chance..

"Well that poem I wrote really isn't anything special." I said humbly, "What I really like to do is go flower picking." I gently offered them the flower that I had been nervously clutching in my hand. The petals were a bit ruffled, but it was still presentable. This gesture sent Mrs. Leighman into another frenzy of excitement.

"Oh ho wonderful! Look Ed look!" She gushed, and pulled on his suit, pointing at the flower in excitement. Her husband cracked a smile and chuckled in acknowledgement. This warm reception put me a bit more at ease. This may actually work.

I set the flower down and continued smiling at them, finally allowing my heart beat to return to normal. As the minutes passed I proceeded to tell them all about my adventures. Well adventures may not be the proper term, I recalled the Sisters constantly insisting that I focus on my "lady-like" skills. Unfortunately I possessed very little of those skills. I could barely prepare a meal without sending the kitchen into an inferno of flames. My attempts at sewing always ended in my fingers covered in bandages. I decided to leave these little escapades out, and gave them vague details about what my friends did instead.

After what felt like over fifteen minutes, I stole a quick glance at the grandfather clock standing near the window. The big hand had moved several inches since I entered the room, and I decided to put on the big finale.

"Most families looking to adopt have one big weakness. They always fall for a sob story, so go all out. Tell them how you were abandoned on the street, and they'll be taking you home in now time." I remembered one of the older girl's words. She had been taken in foster care several times, and was a natural at finding places to live in. I took a deep breath and tried to summon every ounce of sadness in my being. Just as I was about to pour my heart out, something out of the corner of my eye stopped me. Something in the window of the door flickered, something deep blue. I peered past the couple and restrained a gasp of shock. Link had his good eye trained on me from the hallway. When he noticed me staring he gave me a cheerful smile and thumbs up. He must have been listening the whole time!

I returned his grin with a look of bewilderment. He gestured to the Leighmans and gave me a nod. Before I could tilt my head in question he waved and walked out of sight. Suddenly every drop of excitement within me evaporated. I'm so selfish! Guilt soon flooded my being, replacing any lingering happiness. This whole time I've been talking up these people, trying so desperately to get adopted. I didn't bother thinking of leaving Link behind. I sighed, and dropped my eyes to the floor.

"Erm Saria? Is something the matter?" Mr. Leighman asked, noticing my change in demeanor. I'm going to give them a big finale alright…they'll definitely remember me for awhile. I lifted my head again to meet their stares of concern. I almost felt my heart break a bit at what I was about to do to these kind people.

"What's the matter?" I leaped to my feet, knocking over the chair behind me. The couple looked up in me, shocked at my sudden outburst. Trying to someone all of the rage within me, I gave them a glare, and reached behind me to pull out the floral pin holding my hair back.

"Maybe I don't want to become someone's little girl!" I shouted, and stiffly moved my leg to kick over the table separating us. I took in the look of their shocked faces, and felt another rush of guilt. But desperate to maintain my façade, I gave them a mocking curtsey.

"Thank you for your consideration."