After a delicious meal, the students were ready to return to telling their story. However, Rhea had to tell them to wait, given that she and Seteth had work to catch up on.
They didn't really have that much work to catch up on (the cardinals had been handling most of it). In reality, Rhea knew Seteth needed some time to fuss over his daughter.
Not that she didn't feel the inclination to fuss over Flayn as well, but she understood that for all that Flayn had experienced in Hyrule, she had come out the other end not just stronger but also more well-adjusted. Seteth, however, was probably feeling horrible that Flayn had faced terrible danger and he hadn't been there to protect her.
After about an hour of Flayn reassuring her father that yes, she was all right, and no, he didn't need to worry about her, she had managed to calm him down enough for them to return to the meeting room to continue the story. She would be surprised if he didn't try to do something extravagant for her later, like throwing a fishing tournament.
Before they returned to the meeting room, Rhea gave Flayn a hug. "I'm very proud of you, Flayn. You've become an exemplary young woman."
"Thank you," Flayn said.
With that, they went to hear the story continue.
78 Days Left...
In the evening, Dimitri was waiting at the west gate of Gerudo City, along with Hilda, Cyril, Balthus, and Linhardt. "You know, if you got your hands on a Gerudo outfit, you might be able to sneak into the city if you wanted to," Balthus noted to Linhardt.
Linhardt shook his head. "Even if I wanted to, my voice would give me away."
"Yeah, that's true," Balthus agreed. Looking back at the gate, he saw one of the two groups they were waiting for: Riju and her guards. "There they are!"
"This meeting is sure to be a farce," Buliara scoffed. "Have they arrived yet?"
"Not yet," Dimitri said. Suddenly, he saw someone running toward them out of the corner of his eye. Everyone turned toward the approaching man, and the Gerudo put their hands on their weapons, only for recognition to cross their faces. "Oh. Him," one said as he approached them.
"Oh, hello there," the man said. He was seemingly a Hylian, with dark hair and a fairly ordinary height and build. "I knew it would only be a matter of time before the ladies came looking for me."
"Get lost, Bozai," Buliara said. "We're not interested in your nonsense, especially not tonight."
Bozai shrugged. "So be it, gorgeous. When you need me, you know where I'll be." He started walking off.
"Who's he?" Cyril asked.
"A voe with an inflated sense of self-importance who thinks he's the Goddesses' gift to vai," Buliara commented snidely. "The fool likely took the jokes about Gerudo having low standards at face value."
"What do you mean?" Cyril asked.
"We Gerudo don't tend to mind a voe who's a bit eccentric, as long as he's a good man," Buliara said. "If a voe has a kind heart and doesn't shy away from hard work, who cares if he insists on always wearing red boots, or thinks puns are the peak of comedy, or is terrified of wooden spoons, or refuses to touch anything with the number four on it? But that doesn't mean we would be willing to put up with a voe who hasn't accomplished anything worthwhile in his life and yet still thinks he's the most desirable voe under the sun."
Cyril looked at Hilda and raised an eyebrow. Hilda glared at him in response.
"Maybe someone would be willing to have some no-strings-attached fun with him if he were willing to shut up and not assume it meant anything," another of the guards commented. "But it's obvious he won't do either of those things. Not even Risa wants anything to do with him."
Balthus went after Bozai. "Hey, pal."
"I'm not your pal," Bozai said. "If you're trying to rub it in that those ladies want to hang out with you and not me, I'm not interested. And if you want my sand boots, you're not getting them."
"None of the above, pal," Balthus said. "I'm just trying to give you some friendly advice."
"Okay then," Bozai said snidely. "What do you think I should be doing differently?"
"Buddy, it's obvious there's nothing in your life that you're proud of," Balthus said. "Women pick up on that. That's not an attractive quality."
Bozai scowled at him. "If you think I'll just let you insult me—"
"I'm not trying to insult you, pal, I'm just telling it like it is," Balthus said. "Being insecure isn't a good look on a man. Especially when you try so hard to compensate."
"Okay, smart-ass, what do you suggest?" Bozai asked.
"There's gotta be something you're passionate about," Balthus said. "Besides getting a girlfriend, what's something you've always wanted to do?"
Bozai's scowl morphed into a thoughtful look. "Well, there is one thing...I've always wanted to be an archeologist."
"A what now?" Balthus asked.
"Someone who studies ancient artifacts to learn about history," Bozai explained.
"Well, if that's what you've always wanted to do, you should do it!" Balthus said. "If nothing else, you'll at least feel better about yourself."
"You know what? You're right!" Bozai said, nodding. "Yeah! First thing in the morning, I'm going to get started!"
As Bozai headed back to Kara Kara Bazaar and Balthus walked back to the group, Cyril asked Hilda, "So what is it that you're disappointed ya aren't doing with your life?" Hilda scowled at him and looked away.
Suddenly, Dimitri pointed out five figures approaching. "I believe our guests are arriving."
As the figures drew closer, it became obvious that it was Master Sooga and four Yiga Blademasters. The Gerudo tensed and put their hands on their weapons as they got closer.
"Chieftain Riju," Sooga said. "It is an honor to meet you."
"Master Sooga," Riju said neutrally. "I hear congratulations are in order for your recent ascension."
"The last Master of the Yiga Clan proved ill-suited to the role," Sooga said. "But I have heard impressive reports of your leadership of your people. Tell me, is it true that you were among those who boarded Vah Naboris?"
"It is," Riju stated.
"Excellent," Sooga said. "A true leader should lead from the front. Only a coward would ask their followers to put themselves in danger for them without being willing to share in that danger."
"On that, we agree," Riju said.
"Now that introductions are out of the way, we should get down to business," Dimitri said. "In seventy-three days, the Rising Sun Company intends to take the fight to Calamity Ganon."
"And you desire our support," Sooga inferred.
"Link intends to face Calamity Ganon alone," Dimitri elaborated. "The rest of us are to draw the monsters out from within Hyrule Castle, or failing that, keep them pinned in a siege, so he can reach Ganon without being worn down fighting them."
"And why would our armies be of any concern to Calamity Ganon?" Buliara asked.
"The armies likely would not be," Dimitri admitted. "But we do have two warriors who do have powers effective against Ganon besides Link. Ganon will have to respond in order to avoid falling under attack by all three at once."
"Very well," Sooga said. "The Yiga will support you in the fight against Ganon. After that...we will see."
"The Gerudo certainly will not withhold our support, especially not when the Yiga are going to fight for Hyrule," Riju said. "But I do feel the need to question why you insisted on having us commit to supporting you in the same meeting."
"Because I understand that there is a significant amount of bad blood between the Gerudo and the Yiga," Dimitri said. "More than anyone else, I understand the desire for vengeance. But I need to make it clear that such desires are not productive. Whatever grudges may exist between your peoples, they are to be settled after the destruction of Calamity Ganon. Doing otherwise could very well be the death of us all."
"I will keep my people in line," Riju promised.
"As will I," Sooga swore.
"Good," Dimitri said. "Now, to discuss the details of the plan..."