Chapter 20
Everybody Blames Link
The next morning:
Link – (tramping down the stairs with something in his hand; looks very surprised as he sees the Star Fox team wandering around the front hall) What's going on here?
Lya – (sauntering through the doorway of one of the rooms with Gallina on her heels) Well, while you were sleeping off your big day of sitting in your room and doing nothing, Dasar and I saw their spaceship land, and we brought them back here to see what they wanted. It seems Dakaraso has temporarily turned his attentions elsewhere in the universe. (turns and give Link an angered look) Looks like he's going to use that bit of leash you gave him to choke you.
Link – (throwing his hands up innocently) How was I supposed to know he was attempting intergalactic domination?
Lya – Well, now you have to go after him.
Link – You mean WE have to go after him.
Lya – No. I mean YOU. By YOURSELF. Alone. With no help.
Link – Why?!
Lya – Because it's your fault that he's still out there. You could have stopped him easy. But noooooo. You let him go because you "have some things to sort out". (glares at him with her eyes flaring black with blue sparks in them)
Link – (holds his hands up in front of him) Whoa, okay, fine. I'll go by myself. Just chill out okay?
Lya – (eyes abruptly changing back to brown when she sees that Link has something in his hand) What's that?
Link – (looking at the thing in his hand then quickly putting it behind his back) nothing.
Lya – Let me see it.
Link – No. It's nothing. Forget you even saw it…it's not like it's for you or anything… (turns and runs up the stairs)
Gallina – Is he always like that?
Lya – (sighs and sounds frustrated) Not always, but lately that's how he is. I can't figure him out anymore.
Link runs up the stairs, and as he turns the corner he runs into (literally) Zelda, making her drop the long pieces of cloth that she was carrying.
Zelda – Link! I just cleaned all of these! Lya had promised to help me make a dress with them!
Link – Don't you think you have enough dresses?
Zelda – (looking irritated) This wasn't just any dress! It was going to be my gown for the ball next week!
Link – Another one?
Zelda – It's the annual Royal Ball. (voice rising in pitch and sounding more panicked) I have to have a new dress. I can't wear the new one I just got yesterday! It's too old for me to wear to the ball!
Link – (sounding a little scared) Oh.
Zelda – Aren't you going?
Link – Um, probably not.
Zelda – You should. You and Lya would look together in a ball gown and tuxedo. A green tuxedo for you of course! (grins coyly)
Link – Thanks, but I'm probably not going to go. (walks around her and hurries to his room)
Zelda watches him go, then turns to pick up the fabrics. While she's picking them up, she finds a small box, the thing that Link had been holding.
Zelda – (curiously) Now what's this? (starts to open it)
Link – (running up the hallway, stops next to her and snatches it before she can see inside, gives her a glare and runs back to his room)