Sitting on the edge of the bed with a dark cloak next to him and a blue piece of string in his fingers, Link brought his hands to the back of his head to redo the ponytail he had taken down a few minutes ago. He had already switched into a fresh sweater and tunic, one that Zelda said she had just recently washed. With this and his hair tied back as properly as he could while leaving it comfortable, he seemed well-prepared for the night ahead. Physically, that was. Mentally, his mind still continued to stir the multiple reasons for concern that filled it. Despite this, after finishing his ponytail he lowered his arms and calmly rested them on his knees. He closed his eyes and inhaled, holding his breath before slowly releasing. Through the mess inside, there was one thing he knew for certain: he would ensure everyone was safe. No matter what.
"Link? Are you ready?" Zelda's voice echoed from the bottom of the stairs.
At the sound of her voice, his eyes opened. He didn't immediately respond, glancing over at the black Hylian cloak that sat next to him before looking out the window behind. The light of day had begun to vanish, though the snowfall had remained just as heavy.
"Link?"
"Yeah," he finally answered. After another brief pause, he took the cloak into his hands and threw it over his shoulders before standing. "I'm ready."
He adjusted the cloak, crossed the loft, and headed down the stairs, though he didn't make it all the way down. He stopped halfway, caught by the sight of his lover, who was standing at the door waiting for him. She had changed into a different one of the dresses she usually wore to work, a light blue one that covered her body, with a deep red sash tied around her thin waist. She had also chosen to let her hair completely down, having brushed it to give it an even cleaner look than she usually kept it in. Even with all the time the two had spent together, her beauty still managed to make Link pause and admire her.
"H-hey…" Zelda mumbled, clasping her fingers together in front of her. Slowly, she began to sway her hips, allowing the end of her dress to dance to her rhythm. "What's wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?"
"What? Oh…" Link said, snapping out of his trance. He finished his journey down the staircase before stopping in front of her, still unable to tear his gaze away. "I just… I haven't seen you do your hair like that in a while. Not since our days in the castle."
"Well, it's a special occasion," Zelda said, bringing her fingers up to lightly play with the ends of her hair. "Though, I thought it would look a little strange with my hair short like this. I wonder if it'll even stay this clean with the snow and wind out there."
"Well, I think you look beautiful," Link said with a tiny smile. "Clean like this, and even when the wind messes it up. You know I always have my eyes on you."
"I-I…" Zelda stuttered. Her fingers gripped the ends of hair she had been playing with as her face began to glow a soft red. Link furrowed his brow.
"What is it?" he asked cautiously. "You're burning up."
"Huh?" Zelda squeaked, bringing her hands from her hair to her cheeks. "O-oh… Um… That's a little embarrassing to say, but… You… You haven't really complimented me like that these past few weeks. It… It makes me happy to hear. Truly."
At the sound of this, an arrow of guilt shot through Link's chest. He hadn't been complimenting her at all. Of course, he had noticed the distance growing between them. To him, it was an unfortunate, but necessary; a byproduct of his cautious actions. A byproduct he told himself he would eventually fix. At least, that was if their assailant would let him.
"Shall we be off then?" Zelda asked suddenly, again breaking the second trance Link had put himself in.
"Yeah. Let's go," he answered with a small smile. He placed a hand on the front door they had been standing in front of and pushed it open, allowing the frigid air to blow past them. He made to step out, but stopped when he noticed Zelda hadn't budged. "Zelda?"
He could see the gears turning in her mind. Her face remained red, though he didn't know if that was from the cold or their conversation only moments prior. She kept glancing into his eyes before tearing her gaze away. He had gotten to know her faces so well, he knew she wanted to ask something, but clearly didn't want to push her luck. It had already been a challenge to convince him to go to the inn. Watching her internal struggle caused another pang of guilt to shoot through the already open wound in his heart. She shouldn't have had to worry so much about asking him something. Another reason why the Yiga needed to be brought down.
"L-Link," she finally spoke up. She slowly raised her hand out to him. "You wouldn't mind, would you?"
A third devastating pang. He looked down at the hand she held out to him, with her fingertips now turning slightly red thanks to the cold breeze that now blew around them. It was a request so small that she was afraid of; one that wouldn't have even needed to be asked before. Still, even taking her hand would hinder his movements if they were to be attacked on their way to the inn. The heavy snowfall was already hindering many of his senses as it was. Suddenly, Zelda's hand started to lower.
"Sorry," she murmured, having apparently noticed the hesitation on Link's face, something he hadn't meant to show. "I just–"
"Let's," he said suddenly, holding out his hand.
Zelda blinked before looking down at his outstretched fingers. She put out her hand again, holding it just above his own before looking back into his eyes as if silently asking if it really was okay. After receiving a nod in confirmation, her warmth filled his palm.
The walk to the inn had never felt so long. Each step through the snow felt long and treacherous, and it wasn't due to the storm around them. Though he tried to hide it from Zelda, Link's eyes were stuck watching their surroundings, trying to see through the darkness and snowfall as best he could. As soon as they grew close to the inn's stone staircase, shadowy figures began to appear around them, which were revealed to be the usual farmers and shop owners that came during the weekends upon closer inspection. In contrast to Link's stoicism and caution, the villagers around them were completely carefree, ready for the night's drinking affairs.
"Well, look who's out late this evening!" one of the shadowy villagers said through the snow toward them.
Link slightly tensed up, squinting through the snowy winds and darkness as a figure walked up to them. When the figure came into view, he relaxed.
"Hey, Dantz," he answered the farmer's call.
"What are you doing out here?" Dantz asked, stopping next to Link. He peered over to see Zelda, who waved the moment his eyes laid upon her. "Not working today, Zelda? That's kind of a surprise. Unless… Are you two coming to enjoy yourselves tonight?"
"That's the plan," Link said, while Zelda nodded enthusiastically behind him.
"I've been given the day off," she said. "Today is a special day."
"Special you say?" Dantz repeated. "Well, I'm glad to see you here, Link. We only ever see you in the village every now and then, and you haven't really paid anyone much attention recently. Say…"
The farmer leaned in closer to Link's face in order to be heard properly over the snowfall winds.
"We won't have any problems like before, will we?" Dantz asked in as hushed a voice as he could.
Link furrowed his brow, trying to recall what problem he had before with Dantz. After a second of thought, the memory of Zelda's first weekend shift appeared in his mind, where the unknown traveler had bumped into her shoulder near the end of her shift. It was Dantz who had confronted Link outside, stopping him from interrogating the traveler further, and allowing him to go free. While a slight irritation grew in Link's chest at the memory, he still had no proof that was the person he was after.
"Link? Dantz?" Zelda called suddenly as she gently squeezed Link's hand. "Is everything alright?"
Taking a quick glance at his lover, Link's face softened. Taking a deep breath, he looked back at the farmer.
"We won't," Link finally answered. "We won't have any problems. It's bad for the village if we do."
"Good," Dantz said with a warm smile. "Look, I don't mean to bring the mood down, I just want to make sure you're alright. Have a good time tonight, you hear?"
"You got it," Link said as Dantz began to climb the snow-covered staircase toward the inn's double doors.
"What was that about?" Zelda asked, to which her lover shook his head.
"Something from a few weeks ago. It's nothing to worry about," he said, turning towards her with a small smile. Coughing a bit to clear his throat and placing his free arm behind his back, he stepped forward and raised the hand Zelda was holding. "Shall we?"
With a smile and nod from Zelda, the two headed up the stairs alongside the thin but steady flow of villagers. It wasn't long before the two found themselves pushing open the large double doors. The lobby's warm air instantly gave their bodies relief from the cold as they stepped inside. Though it was still fairly early in the evening, a rumble of voices could be heard from the dining hall, accented with the footsteps of those still entering the inn. Before Link and Zelda could do anything, a farmer who had entered behind them had already started yelling.
"Zelda! Check-in, please!" he shouted, to which Zelda instantly turned around.
"Oh, um, good evening, Medda," she said, facing the shaggy-haired farmer in overalls. Upon hearing her voice, Medda looked down.
"Zelda? Are you not working today?" he asked. "That's kind of a shock— and Link's here too! I'm not sure which surprises me more."
"I'm sorry, but you'd be right. I'm off today," Zelda explained apologetically.
"Did I hear that right?" another voice said from behind Medda. Walking through the double doors behind the farmer was a Hylian female, with her hair decorated into ponytails, one Link instantly recognized as Koyin. "Zelda's off today? On a weekend?"
"You heard that right," Medda replied, turning toward her with his hands on his hips.
"I apologize for the inconvenience," Zelda said with the tiniest of bows.
"Don't apologize!" Koyin said with unexpected glee, hurrying towards Zelda before placing an arm around her shoulders. "That means you'll be able to join the fun!"
"T-that's true, isn't it," Zelda giggled.
Wow… If I hadn't known better, I would've thought she had lived here her entire life, Link thought to himself as he watched the growing group of Hateno villagers and farmers start to surround his loved one. You really are one of them now.
"Hm, what's this?" Koyin suddenly said, looking over after noticing Zelda holding a hand in her own. "Link? You're here tonight?"
"Yeah, I am," Link said tiredly. "Is it really that big of a surprise? I used to be here pretty often before."
"These days it is," Koyin responded. "Hey, if you are here then does that mean you finally have time to clear out that monster camp I mentioned before?"
"Monster camp?" Zelda asked, looking over at Link, who had immediately started shaking his head.
"I can't," he answered Koyin. "I just… I can't right now. For multiple reasons."
"Ugh, I'm really struggling here, you know?" Koyin complained. "Well, just let me know when you can. I really could use the help protecting the sheep."
"Wait, what's going on?" Zelda asked. "What's happening to your herd—?"
"Hey, so, who's going to check us in?" Nack, who had walked in while adjusting his tall, wide-brimmed straw hat, asked the group. "Is Prima handling it alone tonight?"
"Actually, she's not," a voice called soothingly through the room.
Everyone turned toward the dining hall to see the purple-haired guest walking through the door frame. She glided into the lobby, before stopping in front of them, balancing a tray in one hand while using her free hand to grip the side of her dress as she lowered into a curtsy.
"For those who somehow haven't met me during these past few weeks of my stay here, my name is Jules," she said with a cool smile, "and I will be servicing you tonight."
A small applause and cheer came from the crowd at the temporary waitress's entrance, except for two. While Link didn't clap because one of his palms was currently occupied, he couldn't help but notice the pressure holding it slightly increased. He glanced over to see Zelda staring at the waitress, slightly furrowing her brow in what he could only guess was annoyance. Gently, he tugged at her hand, causing her to look at him. He silently questioned her with a look of his own, but before he could get any kind of answer, Jules had started speaking again.
"If you are spending the night, please form a line in front of the desk," she said, moving to the back of the counter. While still holding the tray in her hand, she used her free hand to grab the quill that usually sat on the desk's surface. "If not, you are free to head into the dining hall. Thank you."
With a rumble from the crowd in appreciation, most went forward to form the line, including Nack, Medda, and Koyin, who had been surrounding Zelda. As they stepped forward, with a surprisingly aggressive tug of her own, Zelda began to pull Link away towards the dining hall.
"Hey, is everything alright?" Link asked he allowed her to pull him away, but Zelda simply nodded.
"Everything is fine," she replied after a few moments, adding in a low grumble, "perfectly fine."
The two quickly entered through the dining hall doorway, revealing the crowded hall before Zelda paused in her tracks. While she didn't flinch at the noise or the number of people as she looked for a table— having grown used to it in the past few months she had been working there now— Link had to take a moment to indulge in his surroundings. His eyes darted around the building, taking in every face, dish, and object he could define. It wasn't as if any of this was new; he had joined in the festivities long before Zelda was saved, and was even the reason the gossiping hags had stopped harshly messing with her. No, he was still on a mission: a mission of protection.
The echoes of laughter and music, the scent of home-cooked meals and alcohol, the vibrations of the music coursing through his body, and the constant movement of every single person at the tables. All of these were hindrances to his focus, all that could be used to the Yiga's advantage in stealth. Everything had to be accounted for in order to adapt and be prepared. He had to be ready. Always.
Before Zelda could set eyes on a free table, a familiar voice called out to them.
"He really came."
The couple turned to find Prima facing them as she stood in front of her counter and furnace. She folded her arms and grinned.
"I'm genuinely surprised."
"I told you I convinced him," Zelda mumbled in response, to which the clerk laughed.
"Knowing him, you can't blame me for being just a little doubtful," she said, to which Link frowned.
"Glad to be here," he said in a slightly loud and irked tone, something that only made Prima grin a bit more smugly than before.
"If you're looking for a table, Celessa saved you one," she said, turning back to the furnace and counter. "It's near the window. You know that's her favorite spot."
"Thank you," Zelda said with a nod before quickly pulling Link away into the crowd. As they disappeared into the crowd, Prima glanced over her shoulder before turning back.
Zelda weaved skillfully through the crowd, guiding Link through the tables and the waving arms of drinking farmers. As they traveled, Link's eyes kept darting around, taking in everything he could see before they arrived at the table in the back of the room, where Celessa had a mug in her hand and a bowl of food on the table in front of her. Before either one of them could even sit down, Celessa looked up at their presence and smiled.
"You two made it!" she exclaimed. "Come on, sit!"
She gestured towards the other chairs around the table. Immediately Zelda began to take a seat, yet Link kept standing.
"I think I'll stand for a bit," he began, raising a hand apologetically. "Standing will—"
"Link," Zelda whispered sharply. Link looked down, meeting her stern green eyes. She gave another slight tug at his hand, refusing to break eye contact. With a small sigh, he sat in the chair next to her.
"Come on, Link," Celessa said as he sat. "You're supposed to be relaxing here."
"I am relaxed," he answered without looking at her, still turning his head constantly to inspect the hall. Celessa snorted.
"Well, Princess, I had forgotten your knight had a sense of humor," she said.
"Fun, I thought that side had disappeared," Zelda chimed in, glancing over at her lover. In a mumble, she added, "I wish that side would return…"
While Link had somewhat blocked Zelda's voice out of his ears, Celessa's pricked up.
"Then let's try and bring him back," Celessa said. "Link, you're of age now, yes?"
"I am," Link said simply, to which the female traveler giggled with glee.
"Finally eighteen," she said. "To think, I'm only a couple of years older than you. Well, let's have some fun and get you a drink then shall we?"
Zelda stiffened at the sound of this—something that Celessa quickly caught on to— yet, Link shook his head.
"I'm fine," he said simply. "I don't need one."
"What? But, the whole point of you coming was to have a good time," Celessa argued.
"I am having a good time," Link retaliated, still not looking at her or Zelda. "Just being around everyone is fun in itself."
"What? No, that's not what the…" Celessa began to argue, but her voice trailed off when she realized Zelda had not relaxed. "Fine then. Can you at least go get me a drink then? It doesn't look like Jules is back from wherever I saw her head off to."
At this, Link finally looked Celessa's way with a blank expression. Despite this, the fact he hadn't budged was enough for Celessa to put together his silent question as to why it was he who had to get her a drink.
"Come on, you're a knight, right?" she pleaded. "Be a gentleman for me. Don't you still want to look somewhat good in front of the princess?"
Link's eyes narrowed as a frown appeared, but he stood nonetheless, accepting that Celessa was right. Regardless, even if she wasn't, it gave him a chance to inspect the dining hall at his leisure. Celessa watched as he disappeared into the crowd before immediately turning back to Zelda.
"Princess, what are you doing?" she asked quietly, leaning forward over the table.
"What do you mean by that?" Zelda asked in return, matching her tone. Celessa gestured her head towards the seat that now sat empty.
"Why didn't you help me convince Link to drink?" she asked. "The whole goal is to get him to relax, but you're sitting there silent as if you don't want that!"
"Of course, I want him to relax, that's why he's here," Zelda shot back. "It's just… If he drinks, what if Jules does something?"
"Princess!" Celessa growled in a loud whisper. "This isn't about Jules! She's not even drinking right now! The alcohol is supposed to help calm Link's mind. How else are we supposed to get him to relax?"
"I-I…" Zelda stammered before balling her hand into a fist. "Look, I'm sure there's a way to do it without alcohol. I know this isn't about Jules, but the last time she was around alcohol, things got rather hectic! I just don't want Link to fall into the same trap I did."
"As unfair as that makes Jules sound, why does it matter if you're here?" Celessa asked.
"Because Link and Jules are apparently close friends," Zelda explained. "If Link drinks, and then Jules drinks with him because she loves to drink, who knows what'll happen? Things get unpredictable! And it doesn't help that Link supposedly likes to listen to Jules more than me—"
"Princess, you're letting your jealousy get the better of you again," Celessa argued. "It sounds like you just don't like when Jules and Link get along because of the past. Instead of focusing on Jules, focus on Link! You're the one who was able to get him here, take that and keep pushing forward! Stop worrying so much about Jules!"
"What about Jules?" Link's voice suddenly said. The two ladies looked up from their close-quarter conversation to see Link standing at the table, holding a drink in his hand. "Why are we worrying about her? Here, Celessa. Prima said this is your usual."
"Thank you," Celessa said, taking the mug of alcohol from his hand. "And we're not worried about her. At least, I'm not."
"Sit back down, Link," Zelda said, reaching up to tug at his sleeve as she disregarded Celessa's comment. After deciding that whatever conversation they were having about Jules was unimportant— and taking another look around the room— Link listened.
With a deep breath, Zelda looked over at her lover, whose focus still wasn't on her or the person across the table. His eyes remained lost in the crowd, focused on everything but himself, or even his special day. As much as she didn't want to admit it, the thought that Celessa was possibly right began to appear in her mind. Before that thought could finalize though, a small group of villagers flooded into the dining hall, followed by Jules. As the remaining people began to find their spots in the weekend bash, both Prima and Jules moved to the center of the hall.
"Alright everyone, listen up!" Prima called in an impressively loud voice.
The loud laughter and talking now became hushed voices and chuckles as those who weren't already wasted turned their attention to the clerk. After confirming she had mostly everyone's attention, she continued.
"I'm sorry to put a hold on the fun tonight, but we do have a special announcement to make. As you know, we've gained a new resident in our small village— two of them actually, and today happens to be one of their birthdays. I believe everyone owes Link here a happy birthday."
Suddenly, all eyes turned to the back of the hall where the man in question sat.
"It's Link's birthday?"
"Why didn' ya say anythin'?"
"Happy birthday, Link!"
As the congratulations began to pile up, one man stood from the crowd. It was the mayor. Brushing his long brown hair out his eyes, his eyes met Link's before he stepped out into the center of the room along with Prima and Jules. He smiled brightly from under his thick mustache.
"Link, if it's your birthday, then that makes you of age now, doesn't it?" Mayor Reede asked, to which Link nodded. "Then, I believe that requires a toast, doesn't it? Can we get him a drink? We can put it on my own tab."
Instantly, Prima turned to go prepare an ale, but Link had already opened his mouth.
"Actually, I think I'm alright—" he began to decline, yet a touch on his back stopped him. He twisted in his chair to see Zelda gripping his tunic. Though she looked slightly concerned, she spoke up.
"Link, I… I think you should," she said.
"Zelda, look, I'm glad you think so, but I can't—"
"Link. Please," she pleaded. "You're supposed to be relaxed, and… you aren't."
With a sigh, she glanced over at Jules (who was looking near the dining hall counter where Prima was preparing the requested drink) before looking over at Celessa, who barely tilted her head toward Link. After staring into Celessa's eyes for a brief moment, Zelda turned back to Link.
"You said you would come. There really wasn't a point in coming if you weren't going to try and truly relax so please… accept the drink. Have fun."
Her eyes stayed locked onto Link's unwavering blue ones. Even then, he looked as though he wanted to refuse. She knew it wasn't because he didn't want to, but because of whatever mission he currently had himself on. Regardless, she didn't look away. In the end, it was Link who broke eye contact when his name was called again.
"Link," Prima called out with a drink in her hand. She held it out to him, waiting for him to stand and take it from her grasp.
"Is everything alright, Link?" Reede asked, standing next to Prima with his own drink in hand.
Link looked around at all the eyes that sat on him before looking back at Zelda's one last time. Finally, he stood and walked over to the clerk and mayor to take the drink in hand. Reede gave a teeth-showing grin.
"While this may be a bit overdue— thanks to the young man's age when he first arrived— let us give a toast not only to the birthday man himself, but to his lover, who both have added to the prosperity of Hateno," Reede said, slightly gesturing over to Zelda sitting at the table before raising his mug. "Link… Happy birthday."
The rest of the room rumbled as everyone else followed in the mayor's words, cheering 'happy birthday' at Link. Though everyone lowered their mugs, no one took a sip. All eyes stayed on Link, waiting for the obvious sign that they could take their hearty swigs. With another pause of hesitation, Link looked down at the mug of ale in his hands before taking a deep breath. One drink was sure to be fine. Slowly, he brought the mug to his lips before raising the bottom of it high. With a cheer, all the rest of those with a drink followed his actions. Suddenly, a flamboyant construction worker stood happily from his chair.
"Well, all of you! Since we have ooooone special person here on his special day, let's have a goooood time now, shall we?" Bolson said loudly with reddened cheeks, raising his mug high into the air.
"Hey, Bolson! You know how I feel about that confetti of yours!" Prima shouted over the roaring cheer the old man's announcement received.
The clerk hurried away to the now confetti-covered table as Reede laughed before looking down at Link.
"Happy birthday again, Link," he said, patting him on the back. "Have a good time tonight and celebrate! It's good to finally see you have a drink with us."
With that, Reede walked to sit back down at his table. Now standing alone in the center of the considerably louder room, Link turned back to his own table, allowing his face to flinch at the new taste in his mouth. Taking a seat back next to Zelda, Celessa laughed once she got a good look at him.
"That's the face I wanted to see," she laughed as Link clicked his tongue. "Having a hard time holding your drink there, Link?"
"It's bitter," he replied, still furrowing his brow in distaste as he looked down at the liquid in his drink. "Is it supposed to taste this harsh?"
"Alcohol is technically a liquid drug," Zelda spoke up, though she still looked very unenthusiastic at the idea of Link drinking. "That's the simple explanation at least. That's why it has that specific taste; your body naturally rejects it."
Both Link and Celessa looked over at her in surprise at her alcoholic knowledge. Confused at their reactions, Zelda looked between the two.
"What?" she asked.
"I'm surprised you know so much about it since you can't drink," Celessa said. "That, and your personal grievances toward it."
"Of course, I would take an interest in the effects of ale and wines while working here," Zelda huffed before quietly adding, "and you know it's not really alcohol I have an issue with."
"Are you guys talking about Jules again?" Link asked as he began watching the party again. Celessa frowned.
"Someone here is a bit bothered by her after their little scene at the Noble Canteen," she said. "I almost wish I was there to witness it myself. Link, you were there. Why don't you tell us if it was as bad as Zelda makes it out to be?"
"There isn't much for me to say honestly," Link said simply without looking back at the table. "I didn't arrive until after their contest. I only dealt with the aftermath."
While Zelda blushed in embarrassment at what little she could remember of that night, Celessa frowned in disappointment, seeing as Link hadn't looked back at the table. Her reaction was a bit early though, for he did look back at his mug only a second later.
"After drinking this, though, I'm not sure how you managed to drink so many…" he said to his lover next to him. Before Zelda could answer, Celessa—noticing her chance— quickly chimed in.
"Oh? Is there finally a food the glutton himself can't handle?" she asked with a devilish grin. This got Link to look at her again.
"This is not food," he said, yet Celessa raised an eyebrow.
"What's that one dish you ate one time in front of me?" she asked curiously. "You pulled it out of that slate thing. It was a plate of… I don't even know what it was. It was like my eyes blurred out of fear. I think it had a bone. It was green and purple, I know that."
This actually managed to get Zelda to giggle a bit, while Link simply blew air out of his nostrils.
"It was a last resort," he explained.
"It's called dubious food," Zelda outed. "At least, that's what the Sheikah Slate defines it as. And that's not the first time he's eaten that either."
"I'm not wasteful. I swear. You love making fun of my failed dishes, don't you?" Link said, looking at the giggling woman next to him. Celessa's grin became increasingly devilish.
"Then you shouldn't waste a drop of that ale," she said. "Especially if you can't fathom wasting one of those dubious dishes. Come on, join me!"
With a laugh, Celessa brought her mug up and took a hearty gulp of her ale before bringing it down with a sigh.
"You make it look easy," Link commented. Celessa simply shrugged.
"It gets easier the more you drink," she said. Despite her nonchalant words towards drinking, Link still didn't seem any more excited about the drink in front of him than before. "Come on, it can't be that bad. Let me have a taste."
She held out her hand and waggled her fingers, silently demanding his mug. With a push, Link slid the mug across the table toward her, allowing Celessa to take a sip of it. She slightly flinched the moment the liquid hit her tongue.
"Oh wow, she made yours pretty strong," she said, putting the mug down and sliding it back to Link. "Knowing you though, I'm sure you can handle it. Let me be the one to give you your first real toast. We'll chug it together."
Celessa took her own mug back in her hand and held it out to Link, who still didn't look very excited. After holding up her mug for a few seconds without any response, she sighed.
"Come on, Link. Have some fun."
She shook her mug slightly in temptation. Link watched as the mug shook in the center of the table before glancing out into the rest of the hall, where the music had gotten louder and the dancing wilder. He had seen (and was watching) what alcohol could do to a person if they had too much, with Zelda being a prime example, but he was sure to have more tolerance than his lover, and maybe even most. He had always been at a physical peak. He could watch everyone and handle a few drinks. It also would help get Celessa and everyone else off his back, something that would let him focus. Besides, he did tell himself earlier that at least one drink wouldn't hurt. He took his mug back into his hand and tapped it against Celessa's—much to her enthusiasm— before the two quickly brought the mugs to their mouths to chug their drinks down.
It was such a bittern sensation, he almost instinctively tried to pull the mug away, yet he remained strong. He could feel his body start to burn as an ever-growing sun began to radiate in his chest. He continued to chug until the cup had emptied before slamming it back down on the table, along with Celessa, who had coincidentally finished at the same time. While his body immediately shook violently, his drinking partner looked incredibly more relaxed.
"That's the spirit!" she said loudly before heavily laughing. Link couldn't help but notice her body swaying a bit more than before. "How do you feel?"
"Warm," he answered, "and strangely, I somehow feel more focused than before…"
"What?" Zelda asked, furrowing her brow in concern, yet Celessa simply snorted.
"Of course, you do," she said before standing. Raising her mug in the air, she took in a deep breath before shouting over the music and laughter, "Jules! I need another one over here!"
Almost immediately, Jules appeared by the side of the table.
"Same as the first three?" she asked as she took Celessa's mug from her hand.
"Just like the first three, thank you," Celessa confirmed. With a nod, Jules disappeared with the empty mug now on her large wooden plate. With a large smile, Celessa sat back down before taking note of Zelda's changed features. "What's wrong, Princess? Your frown has returned."
"I don't understand how she's so good at this…" Zelda mumbled as she looked where Jules had disappeared into the crowd. "I was struggling so hard my first day, how is it that she seems to be a natural? I understand Link, but shouldn't she be just like me?"
"She must've picked up a thing or two from how much time she spent in the Noble Canteen," Link said in a noticeably more relaxed voice. "I guess she's just now able to put it all to good use."
"Oh, Zelda, you need to lighten up," Celessa said, slamming her hand on the table. Without warning, she again stood from her chair and hurried around toward Zelda, who recoiled in surprise when she found Celessa standing over her. She held out her hand. "Come on. We're dancing."
"We're what?" Zelda asked.
"Dancing. You and me," Celessa said. "Come on, we're getting your mind off Jules. Let's go."
Quickly, she took Zelda by the hands and with surprising strength pulled her out of her chair.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!" Zelda said as Celessa began to drag her into the crowd. "Celessa! Celessa, stop! You're drunk! Just give me a moment to—"
She never got to finish as her sentence turned into a yelp. Her forced-upon dance partner began to happily jump and spin them around to the music, trying to keep them on the beat as best she could. Link silently chuckled to himself as he watched the two dance in the distance.
"So, she didn't even stay to receive her drink, did she?"
Link looked over to see Jules, who had reappeared at the table and now stood next to him. She looked out into the crowd, spotting Zelda and Celessa before chuckling.
"If I had known she was going to disappear, I would've told Prima she could make others drinks first," she said.
Shaking her head, with her free hand she reached over and took a fresh mug of ale from her plate and set it down in front of the chair Celessa had occupied only moments prior. With a simple nod in agreement, Link turned to look back at the two dancing women in the crowd, yet another tap on the table reached his ears. He looked over to see that Jules had set another mug down, this time in front of him. He looked up in confusion.
"I didn't order this," he said, to which Jules shrugged.
"It's on the house," she said. When Link raised an eyebrow, she added, "Prima approved, don't worry."
He looked down at the now second full mug in front of him before shrugging and taking it into his grasp. He brought it to his lips and took a swig before looking back out into the dancing crowd once more. With a small smile, the table creaked as Jules's leaned against it with her lower body.
"Are you having a good time?" she asked suddenly.
"Hm?" Link grunted in question, now taking another sip of his ale and he continued his observation.
"I asked if you were having a good time," Jules asked again.
Link simply nodded, something she found slightly odd. Upon closer inspection though, she could see a reddened tint beginning to appear in his cheeks. With realization setting in, Jules chuckled and nodded.
"Keep enjoying yourself, Link," she said, before walking away. Again, Link nodded as he continued watching and drinking, however, it was unclear whether or not he had properly processed what Jules had told him. While the interaction between them had been short and sweet, it hadn't gone unnoticed by Zelda, who had still been doing her best to keep an eye on Link between the twirls Celessa was putting her through.
"Celessa, wait a moment! Stop!" she demanded as Celessa continued to dance. "I need to check something!"
"What is it, Zelda?" Celessa asked, very clearly annoyed at the fact Zelda was trying to leave her. "You're supposed to be having fun too, you know?"
"Yes, but Jules and Link just had a conversation!" Zelda explained. "Look, Link even has a new drink! We don't know how much he can handle before becoming intoxicated!"
"Zelda, that's the point!" Celessa laughed as she began to spin them around faster. "Honestly, if you keep stressing out as much as you are, you'll be the one that brings down the mood! Why don't you stop worrying about what Jules and Link are talking about and instead give him something to enjoy?"
"Something to enjoy?" Zelda managed to get out before being twirled again.
As the two continued to dance, Jules continued to maneuver her way through the crowd, grabbing empty mugs on her way up to the front before stopping alongside the brewing clerk. She set the mugs onto the countertop, ready to enter the fray once more, yet before she could walk away, Prima said her name. Intrigued by the sudden call, Jules paused and turned back toward the counter.
"When do you plan to share a drink with Link?" Prima asked, still moving her hands as she prepared food dishes and ale. Jules blinked.
"I'm sorry, what?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm not going to work you the whole night, you know," Prima said. "I know you offered to cover for Zelda, but you're not technically an employee of mine. You can have some fun tonight, just like everyone else."
"Thanks, but what was that about Link and I drinking?" she asked in an unamused tone.
"You want to have one with him, don't you?" Prima asked. "I thought that would have been one of your goals for tonight—"
"Well, thanks, but it's not," Jules cut in. "I know everyone thinks otherwise, but I am just doing this to help out—"
"Jules, I know you aren't trying to take Link from Zelda."
This took Jules aback for a second, forcing her to pause her words before asking, "so, why ask if you know that?"
"Because you can still have a drink with a friend," Prima said as she stopped her work. She shook her hands free from the stress they were under before folding her arms. Turning and leaning her hip against the counter, she continued. "I love Zelda. She's one of my best friends, and she's one of the best things to ever step foot into this inn, alongside saving our little town from some big… pig monster… thing. That doesn't mean she's always right though."
With a sigh, she looked out into the dancing crowd, just barely spotting the two spinning tops of golden and brown hair.
"Zelda's the one that made it possible, yes, but it was your idea to throw this," she continued. "You're Link's friend, and as much as Zelda hates it, you two are good friends. Her insecurities shouldn't keep you from having a good time with someone important to you. As long as you really aren't trying to steal him, that is."
"I just said I'm not," Jules said almost irritably, yet Prima gave a single chuckle. The clerk turned around and took a clean empty mug off the counter. She filled it with ale before turning back and handing it out to Jules. Furrowing her brow, the temporary employee looked between Prima and the mug. "You know Zelda is not going to like this, right?"
"Well, as we've told her many times, this isn't about her," Prima said. "And truthfully, I wouldn't be a very good friend if I let her indulge in her lack of confidence. She needs to learn that Link isn't the only person in her life… same as she isn't the only person in his life."
After a moment of hesitation, Jules reached out and took the mug from Prima. Using the same (now free) hand, the clerk took the tray Jules was holding into her own and set it on the counter.
"Go have fun," she said as she returned to prepping food. "Whether it's with Link or without. I'm not your boss, so do whatever it is you wish."
With that, she shooed Jules away before refocusing on her work. Jules didn't immediately budge, now solely looking down at the ale in her hands. With an uncertain frown, she looked at the crowd in the direction she knew Link's table was before beginning to weave through it. Soon, she was once again standing in front of the table, where Link hadn't taken his eyes off the dancing duo in the crowd. Though it had only been a few minutes since she had left him, half his mug of ale had already disappeared. His cheeks had become a fierce red, while his eyes were dilated. A small grin appeared on Jules's face.
"Still watching those two, huh?" she said as nonchalantly as she could, taking a seat in what used to be Celessa's chair. "Or just one of them actually?"
Link didn't immediately respond. He sat watching the dance as if he were in a daze before realizing someone was talking to him. With a sudden jerk of his head, he looked over and somewhat met Jules's eyes.
"Oh… Hey, yeah…" he mumbled. "Jules, you're back. I… I didn't expect to see you for a while after you… left our drinks. Did you ask…? Did you ask me something… just now?"
"I asked if you were watching Zelda dance," Jules chuckled.
"Of course I am," Link said. "I'm watching… I'm watching everyone. No one will get past me…"
"Still thinking about the Yiga, huh?" Jules asked. "Even while drunk?"
"I'm not drunk," Link said. "I'm stronger than most."
"Right, right," Jules humored. Suddenly, she lifted her mug toward him. "Well, can I join you in not being drunk?"
"Sure, I mean… That just… That just means nothing's changed," Link mumbled. He looked between Jules's now raised mug before somewhat meeting her eyes again. "Celessa did that earlier."
"She already took your first toast?" Jules complained. "Of course, she did…"
"Is it… is it that big of a deal?" Link asked.
"Well… To me, it is," Jules said. "I've been saying we'd drink together forever now. I always thought I'd be your first toast."
"Hm…" Link murmured thoughtfully. Without much warning, he lifted his mug over and tapped it against hers. "There."
Without any hesitation, he began to drink again. Jules sat rigid, replaying the scene she had just witnessed twice over in her head before laughing.
"That's not even what I was complaining about," she giggled. "I wanted to be your first. I was going to get a toast regardless."
With that, she happily brought the mug to her lips and began to easily down her ale.
"You can down it just as easily as Celessa," Link commented as he watched Jules practically chug half her drink. After a few moments, Jules finally brought her mug back down.
"Just as easily?" she asked. "Please. I can drink way better than she can. These are nothing compared to Noble Pursuits. At least, ours isn't. Yours might be just as strong as Furosa's drinks with how Prima made it."
"She must know that… that I'm strong," Link mumbled as he returned to watching Zelda dance.
"Yeah, she knows," Jules said. The two sat in silence for a moment before Link—almost surprisingly to Jules— spoke up.
"Hey… How did Zelda handle drinking those Noble Pursuits that time?" he asked in as close to his usual monotonous voice as he could get.
This caught Jules by surprise. In hindsight, she should've expected a question about that, but that was oddly specific. With a deep breath, she looked over at Celessa and Zelda, whose movements had become more sporadic thanks to the intoxicated one.
"It was as you'd expect," she finally said. "The first one she could barely down. Noble Pursuits are strong. But— to take from what Celessa— told me before, she's… annoyingly stubborn. She ended up forcing it down, and then the next one, and well… I don't remember much after that, but I think you know what happened."
"That sounds like my Zelda…" Link mumbled.
"Your Zelda, huh…" Jules repeated quietly before lifting her mug back to her lips. "You really love her don't you?"
"I do," Link said. He sounded almost completely sober. "That's why I can't let up. Why I have to… have to dig my feet in and remain strong. I can't lose her again, or anyone at all. Not her, not the village, not you… Not anyone."
"Me too, huh?" Jules mumbled. "But… What about you?"
"I'm fine as long as they're happy," Link answered. "As… As long as she's happy."
Jules didn't immediately respond. She sat on his words, allowing them to stir in her mind as she continued drinking.
"But…" she said after taking another swig. "How does that make any sense…?"
"Huh?" Link asked, confused at the sudden opposition. "What… What doesn't make sense?"
"What you… What you just said…" Jules clarified. "How can anyone be happy if… If you're not?"
Still holding his mug, Link looked at her with a furrowed brow, trying to comprehend what she was saying. The silence didn't last long.
"Celessa, seriously, you have to put a stop to this!" Zelda said loudly. "Look at you! You can barely even stand, you're getting dizzy!"
"What? I'm… I-I'm perfectly fine…" Celessa said, wobbling on her feet as Zelda managed to finally halt their spinning. Despite her words, she placed her hands on her stomach. "Actually… Maybe not."
"See? Come on," Zelda prompted, taking hold of Celessa in order to help keep her upright. "Let's get you back to the—"
She looked to the table, only for her to finally notice who was now occupying Celessa's chair. A heat different from Link's began to boil in her chest. Immediately she began to guide Celessa as quickly as she could back to where Jules and Link were sitting.
"What's going on over here?" she asked the moment she knew she could be heard over the hall's noise.
"Zelda…? What's wrong?" Link asked, noticing the frustration in her features.
"What's going on?" Zelda asked, allowing Celessa to stumble free from her hold to find a chair next to Jules.
"Nothing. We're just… chatting," Jules said.
"Really? Are you sure it's not something else?" Zelda continued to prod. "Like a competition or something?"
"Zelda, what's the matter?" Link asked more forcefully this time.
"Everything's fine, Link," she replied quickly without taking her gaze off Jules.
"You… always say that," Link said. "Everything is not fine… even now. You're acting funny… Something else must be going on. Did… Did something else happen while you were out there dancing?"
"I want to know— wait, what?" Zelda asked, turning her attention from Jules to Link upon processing his words, yet before she could say anything more, he had stood with his ale still in hand and moved closer to her.
"Something… Something must've happened…" Link mumbled. "Maybe he did something…"
"He? Link, I said everything is fine, the issue isn't the Yiga—" Zelda tried to explain, yet Link shook his head.
"It is. You just don't understand…" he mumbled again. "Don't worry. I'll protect you…"
"You'll what? What are you—?" Zelda tried to ask but stopped in surprise as Link suddenly wrapped his free arm around her waist. "Link, what are you doing?"
"Keeping you exactly where I want you," he answered, and with a pull, he sat back down into his chair with Zelda now firmly in his lap.
"Link!" she called as her face began to glow a bright red. She began to sporadically look around the room in embarrassment. "I know I'm not on duty, but this is still my workplace!
She tried to push herself up, and yet Link had firmly locked one of his arms around her waist as he kept her in place.
"No… I want you here…" he said as he began watching the crowd, with his other arm still gripping his half-full mug. "I want you close to me…"
"What? But… Link, that's all I want…" Zelda mumbled quietly. All of the fight she had quickly vanished, allowing him to keep her in his lap.
"Well, look at you two… having a good time now…" Celessa groaned nauseously. With a worrying rumble from her stomach, she folded her arms in front of her and rested her head down, while Jules sat next to her, continuing to watch the scene unfold before her. After a few seconds, she stood.
"Well, I'll… leave you guys alone…" she mumbled, trying to control her tipsiness. "Just make sure to… keep an eye on Celessa. She looks sick."
With that, she vanished into the crowd, and as she disappeared, Zelda couldn't help but watch her walk away out of the corner of her eye.
