Winter clouds swirl ominously over the spires of Hyrule Castle; grey and murky like an oncoming storm. The insects shelter beneath the earth or the cover of creaking pines trees.
A young girl with braided blonde hair crosses the Castle grounds, shielded from the rain by a scarlet cloak. She arrives at the white stone arch which separates the luxury of monarchy from the riff-raff down in Castle Town. The gates are closed this evening, but nevertheless, a young boy awaits her on the other side: brown hair and clad in shimmering silver armour; one of the newest recruits of the Royal Hylian Forces.
His eyes light up as she greets him at the gate and pulls back her hood. "What do you want, Faito?"
"What a pleasure it is to see you too, Impa." the soldier retorts.
"You know how it is." she responds bluntly. "I have duties to attend to."
"I know, I know, I understand." he mutters. "I just wanted to see your face. It's been so long since we had the opportunity to spend time together. I miss you."
"Get a grip, soldier." Impa snaps. "I don't have time for this lovey-dovey stuff. I have a responsibility to serve the Royal Family and I can't let a relationship interfere with my allegiance."
She reaches for her hood when her admirer cries out. "Wait! Don't go!"
His hand dips into the pouch hanging from his belt. He retrieves a small brown parcel and hands it to her.
"What in the Goddess's name is this, Faito?" she asks coldly.
"It's a gift, Impa." he sighs. "Consider it a token of my affections."
She clenches her fingers around the parcel. "I shall find a suitable place for it. Now scram. In future, only bother me with news of the outside."
The Royal Family's attendant tugs the hood of her cloak back over her head. As the rain begins to fall, she turns back to the Castle and strides away, leaving the soldier simpering beneath the marble arch. He watches the Castle's drawbridge close and sighs with longing.
