As the sun sets over the Castle's spires, Impa makes her way down the path towards Castle Town. She passes beneath the white marble arch; painted orange in the twilight. Birds retreat to their nests where they tend to their tweeting offspring and the grounds gradually quieten.
Townsfolk vacate the streets; the occasional straggling shopper struggles with a handful of bags. A streetsweeper armed with a brush bids her a good evening as she ascends the steps to the Temple of Time.
The courtyard is tranquil and ambient; butterflies flutter about the pink blooms which flourish on the side of the path; the moat which surrounds the Temple is perfectly still.
The Temple of Time is a sturdy structure that has stood proudly in the same spot for millennia. According to legend, it was built to serve as the sole entrance to the Sacred Realm, where the coveted Triforce resides. Today, it is more commonly used by the citizens of Hyrule as a place of worship, for prayer or simply for peace. Its ancient stone walls hold the myths of hallowed heroes and the fabled voices of goddesses; its stained-glass windows gleam all the colours of the rainbow.
There in the twilight stands a soldier; his silver armour shimmers scarlet in the light of the setting sun; he carries his helmet beneath his arm, revealing his glossy slicked-back hair. His green eyes light up at the sight of the approaching Attendant.
"Good evening, Impa." he speaks sanguinely. "I'm glad you could join me here."
"Let's make this quick." she replies. "I have errands to run."
"Of course." He hangs his head with a smile. "Not even the aroma of spring can ease your shoulders of the burden of responsibilities…"
"What do you need help with?"
"I must confess, Impa…" he shuffles nervously. "I brought you here on false pretences. I brought you here to ask you something…"
"Well? Spit it out, soldier!"
Faito takes a deep breath, filling his lungs with the cool night air. "We've been seeing a lot of each other lately, albeit within the confines of the Castle…but I cannot help but feel that we've grown a lot closer in the last few months. I hope you feel the same…which is why I've brought you here tonight. I wanted to ask you…will you be my girlfriend?"
A sickening knot twists and turns in her stomach; she feels it rise in her throat. Fortunately, instead of emerging as vomit, it manifests itself in an eruption of anger:
"You lead me all the way out here, while I was on duty, for that? How dare you disrespect my position in such a careless manner! I have no time to indulge in your childish romance-novel daydreamer fantasies! The answer is no! Not in a million years! You have done nothing but harass me since the day we met! You intruded into my place of work and made yourself a nuisance! I tried my best to consider you a friend, but you have proven to me that you cannot accept rejection and you will continue to pursue me, totally disregarding my feelings! You are disrespectful and obsessive! Now, if you don't mind, I have a job to do back at the Castle. Don't follow me. Don't speak to me ever again. If you continue to pursue me, I will not hesitate in pressing charges. I don't want it to come to that, so I suggest you hand in your notice as soon as possible."
Concluding her outburst, Impa turns on her heel and marches back to the Castle. The last ray of sunlight disappears beneath the horizon. Faito is left speechless, alone, and emotionally crumbling in the idyllic courtyard of the Temple of Time.
