Time was also having a difficult time sleeping. Like Legend he too had discovered the virtues of the modern bath and thoroughly enjoyed doing so, unlike his pink-haired companion however, it was not enough to calm his mind. With still damp hair and a fresh clean tunic on, he meandered about the halls of the great gilded home. It certainly was something… He stepped out onto a balcony overlooking a ballroom and was surprised by the sheer height of the space. He thought himself to only be on the second floor but there were at least three stories between himself and the glossy marble floor below. A massive fireplace took up most of the wall on the far side of the room, and above it hung perhaps the largest painting that Time had ever seen... It was of Ravio, as a younger man, with a dark-haired beauty bedecked in royal finery (presumably the Empress) at his side. He was struck by several things at once in this painting: First and foremost was the young Empress's uncanny resemblance to the Zelda of his own Hyrule.. They could have perhaps been sisters. Next was that Ravio himself was also wearing the garb of the royals, not that of a knight, guard or a servant as he had implied. He stood just behind and to the left of the Empress, resting one ringed hand upon her shoulder in an obvious sign of support and affection. A humble, but prominent wreath of wondrously crafted golden leaves sat proudly upon his brow signified his status. Had he not known better he would have thought that the man in the painting was a king!

Time thought about this for a moment. Perhaps…he did Not know better. He saw that there was something in the empress's arms but at the distance that he was at and with the light from above shining off of the rich painting he could not see beyond its gleam. He wondered if it was perhaps the Triforce of their kingdom (queendom…empire?). He began to decent the stairs to investigate further. The steps made a soft pattering echo as he made his way down into the ballroom proper. As he approached the painting and the glare from above cleared, he was struck dumb at what he saw…

It was not the Triforce of Lorule that rested in Hilda's arms… but a child.

A baby in a dark ruffled velvet dress with big shining grey eyes peered out curiously from her mother's embrace. The child had the same dark hair and pale skin as her parents, her tiny, pointed ears were pierced and bejeweled with dark purple stones. A delicate circlet rested upon her little head. They were a beautiful, proud family, Time thought, as he studied each of their faces individually.

Hilda's face was lovely… peaceful and kind. He was suddenly looking forward to meeting this woman, and the little princess of Lorule. He wondered why Ravio was hiding this detail from the Chain and suddenly felt a twinge of unease. What else was the man hiding?

Suddenly a soft pattering of slippered feet behind him alerted him to the presence of another. Time turned to see the man of the house himself descending the stairs in a deep burgundy smoking jacket, a glass of something dark in his hand. He hadn't seemed to notice Time yet and seemed to be fixated on making it safely to the bottom of the stairs. Upon doing so, he lifted his eyes and froze.

"Oh." Was all Ravio managed to say. He looked at Time with an embarrassed drunken flush. He looked down at his glass and swirled the deep red liquid absently. "W-Would you care for a drink?" He slurred slightly and sheepishly offered the man his glass. He seemed to look slightly relieved when Time declined and lifted it up to his own lips to finish it in a long pull. He sighed and closed his eyes before opening them again. There was a deep raw hurt in his eyes, tears shone upon the surface, threatening to spill over at the slightest twitch.

"Couldn't sleep?" Time asked the man, offering him an easy out.

Ravio only shook his head and cleared his throat. He put his glass on the end of the ornate banister and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket. He looked up at the painting wistfully. Time turned his gaze back to it as well.

"Do you have a family Mr. Link?" Ravio finally asked. Time turned to him surprised. Ravio's eyes were misty still but earnest, a small sad smile pursed his lips as he waited expectantly.

"I-" Time began "My wife.. back home… We don't have any children, at least... not yet." He said still looking up at the happy family in the portrait.

Ravio nodded and made a small sound that could have been a sigh. "I Miss Hilda every day that we are apart…" He said, the tiny smile slipping away into the shadows of his face. "I miss her more than anything."

"What is your daughter's name?" Time asked, trying to bring the man back from whatever invisible precipice he was now teetering upon.

A look of grief passed over Ravio's face, almost to quick to see, the man looked like he had been shot… and then just as quickly the expression shifted to something else. Cold, calm; Time had worn enough masks in his life to know what he was seeing and decided not to push it further.

"In my world…" he said softly. "We don't speak of the departed. The Princess of Lorule has been gone from us for some time." He turned to Time, eyes now clear, with a bright hurt behind them... and something else beyond that. Steel resolve. A strength born of surviving the unsurvivable. Time could not guess what tragedy had ripped the young family apart, but he felt for the man. He looked once more up at the painting and nodded. He turned to Ravio and squeezed the man's shoulder as he made to leave.

"I'm Sorry Ravio…Truly I am." He started to make his way towards the stairs when a small one noted chuckle came from behind him. He turned back around in surprise.

"That… I think is the first time anyone in your party save for our own 'Link' has ever addressed me by name…" He gave Time a deep nod of respect. "Well Met.."

Time returned the gesture and then began to ascend the stairs as Ravio returned his attention to the haunting portrait of his family. Whatever calling that had brought Ravio to this room so late in the night, Time figured that he had meant to be alone and would respect the man's wish. Now…If only he could find his way back to his Own room.