Riju did her best to look dignified while sitting on a throne that was still far too large for her. She had grown over the last several years, but she was still not an adult by the standards of her people. She was close, ever so close, but her final growth spurt was still a year or two away. And then finally she would match the throne upon which she sat and she could stop using the damnable booster seat she had been forced to add to the throne. It was fairly well disguised to look like a normal part of the seat, but she was painfully aware of it every time she climbed the steps she had also added, all for the sake of not being dwarfed by her own chair.
Still, she had plenty of practice and she was mostly confident that she didn't, at the very least, look silly. The key was to make sure to look like she wasn't trying to look dignified, and to even look just a little casual in the chair, like she was comfortable in it.
Her eyes scanned the room to make sure everything was in place. Buliara, the Captain of her Guard, was at her side. The two sets of stairs that led up to her living quarters each had another member of her Guard halfway up them. No other guards were present in the room, as was normal.
Her attention was drawn to the main entrance, the one directly in front of her, by the sound of footsteps. She ensured she wore a relaxed smile on her face and waited for her guests to arrive, which they did only a moment later.
Zelda, the Princess of Hyrule and effective ruler even if the steps to make it official had yet to be taken, was in the lead. She wore her normal blue and black traveling gear, which wasn't very formal, but none in this room cared for that. The Gerudo knew that travel to their home was difficult and not something to be done while wearing a dress, and even further, Zelda was a friend.
Link, the Champion of Hyrule and the only voe allowed in Gerudo town, followed close behind her. Rather than his own blue set of traveling gear, he wore light armor patterned in the Gerudo style but clearly designed for a voe. Riju was very curious about where he got it, because such a thing shouldn't have existed, but he had been coy about it whenever she asked. She didn't press though, as she didn't want to discourage him from wearing it. There was something… fulfilling about seeing the Champion of Hyrule wear the clothes of her people.
Her attention was drawn back to Zelda as the two of them came to a stop at a respectful distance from her. Riju smiled wider. "Princess Zelda, Champion Link," she greeted them formally. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
Zelda returned her smile, a small and friendly gesture. "More politics, I'm afraid."
Riju nodded. "Of course, such are the times we find ourselves in, though I can't find myself to be too upset about that, considering how things used to be."
Zelda let out a small laugh. "I suppose if you put it like that, I can't complain."
Riju allowed a moment to pass, to ensure Zelda had nothing left to say, before she spoke up again. "How was the journey?"
"The same as ever," Zelda replied with a sigh. "At least, the same as it's been since we started tearing up the Shrines."
Riju nodded sympathetically. Even if it was limited to just those who owned a Sheikah Slate, of which there were only ever very few, teleportation across the country had been rather convenient. But reconstruction required materials, and the most readily available source of high quality materials were the ancient shrines that dotted the lands. With the Calamity defeated and their purpose served, they were put to better use for the people.
For not the first time, Riju found herself about to suggest to Zelda that she acquire a set of Gerudo clothes, which were enchanted to help protect against the heat of the desert. But once again, she smothered that suggestion before she could speak it. It was unnecessary, as Zelda was more than capable of realizing that for herself. Besides, she knew that Link owned such a set, one that looked surprisingly good on him, that Zelda could have used if she wanted.
But, deep inside of her heart, she had a much more selfish reason for not wanting Zelda to wear the much more revealing outfit of her people. Her eyes drifted to Link, who stood silently the side and slightly behind Zelda, who watched her with an easy going smile. He nodded his head slightly as their gazes met, and Riju felt her heart skip a beat.
She schooled her expression so it wouldn't show and she nodded back to him, feeling a small thrill pass through her. She forced her attention back to Zelda, who hadn't seemed to notice. "Then I must thank you for once again making the trip out to see us, and once again apologize that I cannot be the one to come to you."
"No, no, that's perfectly fine," Zelda replied hurriedly. "We are the ones asking you for aid, after all. We couldn't possibly ask you to leave your home for our sake."
Riju disagreed. Her and her people owed much to both of them for saving the land from the Calamity. And to Link specifically for freeing Urbosa and quelling the ramping Divine Beast Vah Naboris. While it was true that extended trips away from her throne could have weakened her already fragile reputation, she wouldn't have hesitated to leave if Link had asked her to.
Or Zelda, of course.
But that was an old argument that neither of them wanted to repeat, so Riju left it at that. "Be that as it may, it is still appreciated. But please excuse my manners, I'm sure that the two of you are tired from your journey. Why don't we save business talk until the morning? In the meantime, you two can rest."
Zelda smiled and placed a hand over her chest. "Thank you, Chief Riju. That sounds like a wonderful idea to me. I assume the usual rooms at Hotel Oasis are available?"
Riju pushed down a stab of jealousy. She would have rather both of them stayed here, in the palace, but for all that it was called one, it was a humble place and the only bedrooms available were hers and a few small servant quarters. She took solace in the fact that Zelda and Link always rented separate rooms, and rarely met within them. She then pushed those thoughts out of her head, ashamed of herself.
"Of course, they are reserved especially for the two of you after all," Riju replied with a forced smile. "In all likelihood, they are finishing preparing them as we speak. Once you have unpacked, I would invite you to dinner, here in the palace."
"I was hoping you would, I do so love Gerudo dishes," Zelda replied. Link nodded, silently but with more enthusiasm than he generally showed. "Then, by your leave."
Riju nodded. "We'll speak again soon. Until then, Link, Zelda."
Her two guests then turned around and left, Link giving Riju another nod on his way out, and it wasn't until their footsteps faded away that Riju letself relax.
"That is quite the smile on your face considering that they have come to give us more work," Buliara commented from her side. "Unless you have some other reason to be smiling?"
Riju's gaze drifted to her Captain, quickly tugging her upturned lips back down. Buliara's words were innocent enough, but Riju had known the other woman all of her life, and she recognized teasing when she heard it. Especially since she had heard it every time Link had visited since defeating the Calamity. "I don't know what you mean," Riju replied, feigning ignorance.
But unlike usual, Buliara didn't leave it at that. She continued in a soft voice, quiet enough that the guards on the stairs couldn't hear them. "It would not shame you to admit your desire, Riju," she said. "Your affections for the Champion are plain for all to see. And no one would disapprove. In fact, for the Chief of the Gerudo, it is only right that you pursue the best possible voe in the land."
Riju grimaced. "When you say 'plain for all to see'...?"
Buliara chuckled. "Worry not, I doubt Princess Zelda has picked up on it. Excuse my rudeness to our guest, but she does not strike me as the most romantically aware vai." Riju relaxed slightly, but then stiffened again when Buliara chuckled. "You are right to be concerned, though. She is quite the fierce competitor for the young Champion's heart. Winning him from her will not be easy."
"I- I will be doing no such thing!" Riju protested, her cheeks warming up. "It would not do for me to claim the Hylian Champion and bodyguard of the Princess for myself."
"And why not?" Buliara asked. "We are allies with Hyrule, and that would only bring us closer, to the benefit of both of our people. To my knowledge, no others have laid claim to him, and Princess Zelda will not control him to that degree."
Riju tried to come up with a good excuse as to why she couldn't steal Link away from Zelda, but each time she tried she ended up distracted as she thought of Link standing by her side, wearing that Gerudo armor, and thoughts of political relationships drifted away.
But she shook her head, clearing those thoughts. "It doesn't matter. He is busy, and he does not return my affections."
"You sound very confident in that," Buliara said. "I had no idea you were such an expert on understanding the hearts of voe."
Riju glared at Buliara. "And you are?"
"No," Buliara admitted. She was more than happy in her role as Guard Captain, and had no interest in chasing a voe to settle down with. "But it would not do for the Chief of the Gerudo to give up so easily."
Riju sighed and shook her head. "It's not that simple."
"You are right, of course. Matters of the heart rarely are." Buliara paused. "Although… there is supposedly a voe expert that recently came into town."
Riju raised an eyebrow. "An expert?"
"You are aware of Ashai's class, correct?" Buliara asked, to which Riju nodded. Few Gerudo did not know of her, even if only a handful attended her classes on a regular basis. "For the past couple of days, a Hylian vai has been present as a guest speaker, and apparently her insights into the heart of voe are rather keen. Quite a few of the guards have attended her class, and Ashai speaks very highly of her."
"That is interesting, but what does that matter to me?" Riju asked. She could not be seen attending Ashai's class, after all. She had to appear strong and wise to her people, and attending a class on how to seduce voe would undermine that more than she could afford.
Buliara knew this of course. "Well, for a vai that has recently come to our town and has left such a strong impression, not just with Ashai but by helping others around town, it would not be unusual for you to invite her here to the palace for a meeting."
Riju stiffened. "Buliara, don't you dare!" she protested. "I do not need to summon her for personal lessons!"
"Of course you don't need to," Buliara agreed. "But just because Gerudo town will carry on even if you don't, are you really satisfied with not at least trying to win the Champion's heart? This Hylian vai could provide you with the weapons you need."
"I'm not trying to hunt him," Riju protested with another sigh. "But fine, very well. If it will get you to stop pestering me about it, then I'll agree to meet this vai. But that's all I promise, understood? I will choose what I do with the advice they give me."
"Of course, Chief," Buliara replied with an all too pleased smile. "You have made dinner plans for this evening, but first thing tomorrow morning I can summon her for a meeting."
Riju would have protested that her discussions with Princess Zelda were set to take place the next day, but the both of them knew through experience that Zelda would sleep in until nearly noon tomorrow morning, recovering from her travels, so any meetings would have to wait for the afternoon anyway. "Fine, fine, that will do," Riju agreed before standing up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go prepare for dinner."
"Yes, you must look your best for the Champion, after all," Buliara teased her. Riju pretended not to hear her as she headed for the stairs that led up to her bedroom, passing one of the other guards on the way, to whom she gave a dignified nod that was returned.
But on the inside, her heart was beating excitedly. Perhaps, with the aid of this voe expert that Buliara spoke of, she could make her fantasies more than just a pipe dream.
Kat, Ruru, and Maomao found themselves sitting around outside the next morning. They were at a small table, one barely large enough to fit their bowls of food, enjoying a nice breakfast. Or they should have been, but the atmosphere was too tense for there to be much enjoyment.
"We have, what, a day and a half to complete our mission?" Kat said. "That's not a lot of time." Thankfully there was no chance of them being overheard where they were, so long as they kept their voices low. They were on the main street, and the noise of the shops, already bustling with activity, was more than enough to cover the sound of their conversation.
"No, it is not," Maomao agreed with a sigh. "Which we've been telling you."
Kat waved her hand, still holding a stone spoon, in dismissal. "Yeah, yeah. But it's not easy coming up with a plan, you know?" She turned to Ruru, who was spending more time looking at her food with a small frown than eating it. "You're tracking all the guards, right?"
Ruru blinked and then looked up. "Yes. I took pictures of approximately 90% of them within the first two days so I could track them with Target Tracker. As of yesterday morning, I have added the last one to my tracking list. This includes the Chief and Captain of the Guard as well."
"And we know the Helm is in the throne room, right?" Kat asked, to which Ruru nodded. "Any time periods where we could maybe slip in and just stealthily grab it?"
"It is unlikely," Ruru replied. "I do not have a floorplan of the palace available, but there are at minimum two guards within or near the throne room at all times, not including the ones outside of the entrance or the ones in the barracks a relatively short distance away. It is very likely that either all paths to the Thunder Helm, or the Thunder Helm itself, are constantly monitored, if not both."
"Even during my… classes?" Kat asked. After the excitement of the Champion's arrival yesterday, not only did those who ran out of the classroom return, they brought more Gerudo with them, filling the small room to its maximum. "A lot of the women yesterday were wearing armor."
"The Guards who were stationed within or near the palace did not move during that time," Ruru confirmed.
"Damn," Kat said, clicking her tongue before scooping another bit of somewhat bland porridge into her mouth. She took the moment to think as she swallowed and then nodded. "Okay, how about this? I cause some big distraction that pulls the guards away, and then Ruru sneaks in and pockets it. It goes missing, but they don't know where, and then we slip out."
"That is a terrible idea," Maomao instantly shot it down. "You're talking about a distraction big enough to draw the guards out from the inner palace, you know? Anything that big, if you could even pull it off, would either put you in massive trouble, send the town into a panic, or both."
Kat frowned, but realized that Maomao was right. "Alright then, Ms. Smarty Pants, what's your idea?"
Maomao raised an eyebrow at 'Ms. Smarty Pants', but then her brow furrowed as she considered it for a moment. "I don't suppose we could just ask for it?" Kat looked at her with a raised eyebrow and Maomao rolled her eyes. "I mean, trick them, or something. Say we need it for some life saving reason, and then run off with it."
Kat tapped her finger against the handle of her spoon as she considered that. "We'd need to come up with a really good reason," she mused. "And one or two guards would probably want to accompany us. But we could handle one or two guards, if we have to."
As the three of them fell quiet, considering possible cover stories, the noise of the morning crowd changed. In fact, it quieted down quite a bit as shopkeepers stopped hawking their goods and customers stopped haggling. Kat turned to see what was going on, and she found the reason immediately. Everyone was too busy watching the person who had just arrived, the person who was very clearly a man.
"Is that him, then?" Kat asked as she watched him approach one of the shops and start talking with the vendor. "The Champion that everyone is talking about?"
"Yes," Ruru confirmed. "His appearance matches the entry for Link in the Catalog."
"What can you tell me about him?" Kat asked before scooping more porridge into her mouth. "Is him being here going to be a problem?"
"It's possible," Ruru replied. "I would advise against any plan that involves making him an enemy. From the limited information available to me from the Catalog, in addition to the way he is talked about and the titles he bears, I do not believe we have a chance against him."
"Yeesh, that bad?" Kat said, watching him. He was pretty short, shorter than even Kat, and he wore a soft smile as he talked to the shopkeeper. But even then, it wasn't hard to imagine him being dangerous. The sword on his back alone made it clear that he was someone ready to spill blood. The bow and quiver he also wore furthered that, but mostly it was something about the way he moved. It was too smooth, too precise.
"I can not be entirely certain. His entry in the catalog is for him at the peak of his strength, and without more information I cannot say how close he currently is to that. However, even assuming he is relatively weak at the moment, I am currently poorly equipped for a serious fight. At the very least, I would sustain damage that is not easily repaired without the use of the heal offered by Body Defense."
"So no fighting the scary twink, got it," Kat muttered. "We're trying to avoid fights anyway, so that probably won't limit us too much."
"Unless he's friendly enough with the Gerudo to chase us after we steal it," Maomao pointed out in a quiet voice. "Or worse, if we try to 'borrow' it and he's the one that decides to come with us. Everyone calls him the Champion. A story dire enough to warrant borrowing the Thunder Helm is probably one that someone like him would be expected to help with."
Kat grimaced, but nodded, accepting her point. "No matter what, he's a complication." She tapped her spoon against the bottom of her bowl, slightly splashing the remnants of her porridge. "So we need-"
"Quiet," Ruru cut her off, which was enough of a surprise that Kat's mouth shut on reflex as she looked at the android girl. But Ruru wasn't looking at her, she was instead watching the Gerudo soldier who was headed straight for them.
Kat's heart thumped in her chest as she sat up straighter, worrying that they had somehow been overheard or if they were in trouble for some other reason. But then she paid more attention to the guard's face, which was not only fairly relaxed, but a face she recognized from the class she had taught yesterday.
The guard came to a stop in front of the table. "Sav'otta, Kat Silver," she greeted them.
"Good morning, Kotta," Kat replied, hiding her nervousness, which was slowly fading. "What's up?"
The Gerudo woman, Kotta, blinked. "I am surprised you remembered my name, amongst all of the faces you must have seen."
"I remember the names of every pretty girl I meet," Kat declared with a nod and a flirty smile.
Though the flirting went over her head, Kotta smiled back. "You are too kind. However, I am not here to trade pleasantries, nor to discuss the intricacies of romance, but instead I am here on official business." Kotta's back straightened, and Kat's nervousness started increasing again. "Kat Silver, you have been invited to an audience with the Gerudo Chief, Makeela Riju."
Kat blinked, not having expected that. "Wait, what? Me? Why?"
"I have been told that she grew curious after hearing about the impact you've had on everyone, both through the classes and through your other actions," Kotta explained. "She wants to meet the vai responsible for creating such excitement in town."
"Oh. Yeah, I guess that makes sense." Kat's mind raced, but it did so in confused circles as she tried, and failed, to figure out if this was a bad thing or a good thing. So instead, she defaulted to just going with the flow. "Right now?"
"If you are available," Kotta confirmed. "Though if not, it can be easily rescheduled."
Kat was tempted to say that she wasn't, to buy herself more time. But that was Coward Kat talking, and Kat made it her policy to ignore her. "Sure! I'm free now!" Kat stood up, then turned to the others. "I'll catch up with you girls later, alright?"
Maomao and Ruru nodded. Ruru's expression was blank as ever, and Maomao very obviously was trying to look casual but wasn't doing a very good job of it. Which was why Kat turned to Kotta and caught her attention. "Lead the way!"
Kat kept her nervousness from her face as she followed the Gerudo warrior up the main road and to the palace. They got a few glances, including one from the Champion, but most people in town were used to seeing Kat around, and didn't do more than take note of it before going back to their business. Or staring at Link.
She forced herself to focus as they approached the palace, climbing a set of stairs with running paths of water on either side of it. At the top was a relatively modest doorway, but it was flanked by two armed Gerudo women. They nodded at Kotta and Kat but were otherwise silent as they walked through the entrance.
Gerudo town was kept fairly cool, which was apparently why there was flowing water all over town, but the inside of the palace was even cooler. Kat's eyes needed a minute to adjust to the relative dimness, but after a few blinks she was able to see the room clearly.
It was more or less what she expected, having been in Gerudo Town for several days now. The walls and floor were made of that same light brown sandstone as everything else, though she noted that the ceiling was natural rock, like the room had been carved from a cliff rather than built. Colorful tapestries hung from the rock though, acting as a sort of ceiling. The floor had similarly colorful rugs creating paths through it from the entrances and the throne.
Immediately to her left and right were sets of stairs that led to the second floor that Kat had seen as they approached. A bit further into the room were two statues of Gerudo soldiers, and flanking a carpeted path that led to the throne. On either side of that path was yet another pool of flowing water, fed from a bubbling fountain behind the throne, and beyond that was a wide open window, more of a lack of wall, really, looking out into the desert beyond Gerudo Town.
Kat only barely registered all of that information though as her main focus was pulled to the throne, and more specifically the girl sitting on it.
She's… so cute!
Kat's brain stopped working as she laid eyes on Riju. She'd seen many adult Gerudo here, and save for the especially elderly ones, all of them were taller than Kat by a good amount. The handful of children running around were much smaller though.
But Riju? Riju was the first teenage Gerudo that Kat had seen. She was about the height of an adult human woman, maybe just a little shorter than Kat herself, and she lacked the long legs of the adult Gerudo women. In fact, she was proportioned quite like a human, or a Hylian.
While Kat was very fond of the tall and muscular stature of most Gerudo women, after days of seeing so many of them, someone of Riju's build and height was refreshing and interesting, and Kat wanted nothing more than to eat her up.
She forced herself back to her senses though as Kotta came to a stop and saluted Riju. "I have brought Kat Silver, as requested."
"Thank you, Kotta," Riju replied in a dignified voice. "You may leave us."
Kotta saluted again before turning around and leaving, heading toward the exit to the north, where the barracks were located. Kat glanced at her as she left before turning her attention back to Riju.
And not just Riju. In her distraction, Kat had ignored the two other important things of note next to the throne. First was another Gerudo woman, a tall and especially muscular one that bore not a spear like so many of the others, but a massive two handed blade. Kat knew her, thanks to Ruru. She was Buliara, leader of the soldiers and personal protector of the Chief. She stood to the side and forward of the throne, out of the way but ready to interpose herself if need be.
And, mirroring her on the other side of the throne was a pedestal. Her Yiga contact had been correct, there was no mistaking the ornate gold helm with inlaid jewels as anything but the Thunder Helm. It was shocking, no pun intended, to be suddenly so close to her objective, but she made sure her gaze didn't linger too long on it. A quick look was fine, it was clearly placed to draw attention, but it was Riju that she needed to be looking at right now.
Kat took a moment to study the girl, forcing herself to focus. Kat wasn't someone who took things seriously most of the time, but she was starting to feel the pressure of her deadline, and she wanted to make sure she did her job properly.
Getting a read on either of them wasn't easy. As expected of a ruler, Riju's poker face was impeccable, and her expression gave nothing away of her thoughts. Buliara was similarly impossible to read, though that was more because she was focused on doing her job, her own eyes scanning Kat to ensure she kept her charge safe.
But Kat could tell one thing for sure- neither of them were wary of her. Buliara watched her for danger of course, but that was professional habit, and not wariness of Kat specifically. Riju's expression might have been blank, but it wasn't guarded. Whatever the reason for her being called here, it wasn't because they knew or suspected why she was here.
So, feeling much less nervous, Kat bowed her head. "Greetings, Chief of the Gerudo," Kat said in a polite tone. "My name is Kat Silver, and I would be glad to be of assistance."
Riju looked at her, a hint of a smile on her face. "So I have heard," Riju said, her voice sweet and smooth. "Though you've only been here a short time, many of my people speak of how you've aided them in one way or another."
"This is a wonderful place, and I was more than happy to help contribute to it," Kat replied.
"I'm pleased you think so," Riju said. "It is rare for Hylians to be so comfortable here." Her eyes briefly flicked to Kat's ears, noting their roundness, but she continued normally. "Many come to visit, but few choose to stay. Can I take it that you intend to do so?"
"Oh, I would very much like to," Kat replied, telling the absolute truth. If she hadn't signed up with the Company and had just been whisked away to this land, she would be more than happy making a life here. "But I'm afraid I can't say for certain whether or not I will though. My circumstances back home are… complicated."
Kat noted the way Riju's shoulders slumped slightly, but her expression was filled with pity. "I understand. Complicated circumstances are a common reason for vai to venture to our town. Rest assured, you are welcome for as long as you wish, no matter what those circumstances are."
Kat nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Chief."
A silence grew between them after that, which made Kat frown internally. This was the part of the conversation where pleasantries had been seen to and now the main point could be brought up. But Riju was hesitating for some reason. Her face didn't show it, but the slowly growing awkward stretch of silence couldn't be hidden.
It was Buliara who ended it, clearing her throat in a not-so-subtle manner, and Riju flinched slightly before sighing. Then she straightened her back and looked at Kat with a serious expression. "Of all the things you've done, there is one in particular that is most commonly talked about."
"My romance lessons?" Kat guessed. It was definitely the one that left the strongest impact on the most people.
Riju nodded. "We have limited interaction with voe here in Gerudo Town. Ashai's lessons are a vital part of ensuring that when our citizens travel out into the world, they do so with the knowledge they need to mingle with the rest of Hyrule. By providing the perspective of an outsider, you have helped them immeasurably, and I would like to personally thank you for that."
Kat shook her head. "No thanks necessary. Like I said, I just wanted to help out." Plus, she didn't want to be thanked for helping the Gerudo women learn how to pick up men.
She was curious about why Riju was bringing it up though. Sure, Kat knew that it was a relatively big deal for them, and Gerudo Town was small enough that it could easily warrant a meeting with the Chief. But what it wasn't was sufficient reason for Riju to be hesitant. She was procrastinating, leading up to something else related to the love lessons.
And then suddenly, like a lightning strike of inspiration, everything clicked together. Why Kat had been called here, the thunder helm, the layout of the throne room, and the time they had left. Every factor swirled together, and finally, finally, she saw the path forward.
Kat didn't bother hiding the smile that grew on her face. "Of course, for a young vai like you, who is at the cusp of starting her own romantic adventure, I would be more than happy to offer you more advanced and specific lessons," she said. "Especially if there was a young man that has caught your eye. Perhaps someone like the Champion that recently arrived? He would be suitable for the Chief of the Gerudo."
Riju couldn't hide her shock, her jaw going slightly slack and her back stiffening, more or less confirming Kat's guess. Buliara actually chuckled out loud, not bothering to hide her amusement, for which Riju sent her a glare that was summarily ignored.
Riju sighed and then turned her attention back to Kat. "I see your insights are as keen as they say. There is no particular voe that I have in mind… but yes, I have called you here to ask for exactly that. Due to… various reasons, I'm afraid I haven't had time to learn much about romance aside from what I could glean from a few books, and I'm well aware of the differences between fiction and reality."
"That's a good start," Kat nodded. "To be honest, that puts you ahead of at least half the Gerudo in Ashai's class."
Buliara's lips twitched upward in amusement, but Riju just seemed slightly bemused. "I see… Well, be that as it may, I thought it best to rectify this lapse in my education sooner, rather than later, especially when the perfect opportunity arrives."
"Smart thinking," Kat agreed. "Someone in an important position such as yourself can't really afford to badly fumble a romantic moment out of ignorance. It could have diplomatic repercussions!" Kat had no idea if that was actually true, but she wanted to make sure things happened the way she wanted.
"That… is true," Riju agreed hesitantly. "Which is why I've called you here. To be clear, you have every right to refuse, and I am willing to pay you for your service, but I would like to request for private, discrete, lessons on… romance." Riju's skin was dark enough that spotting a blush was difficult, but not so dark that it was impossible.
Kat grinned and placed a hand on her chest. "I would be honored to help guide you onto the path of romance, Chief Riju."
Riju seemed nervous, which was easy to tell now the mask she wore at the start of the conversation had slipped off, but she relaxed slightly at Kat's words. "I thank you. When would you be available?"
This was the important part. "Well, if you want to be discreet… how about tonight?" I suggested. "As late as is feasible, when there are few people about. I don't want to cut into your sleep, but if people see me coming back and spending time alone with you… they'll probably be able to piece together what we're doing."
It was easy to guess why Riju wanted things to be discrete, and it had nothing to do with her being embarrassed. Well, it mostly wasn't about her being embarrassed. But Kat noted the booster seat on the throne. She had heard a few comments here and there from the women she had interacted with. Riju had inherited the throne much earlier than she was meant to, and she struggled to maintain her image in the eyes of her people.
Kat felt for her, she really did. But more than that, she could use that desire to maintain a perfect image to her own advantage, and accomplish more than one of her goals at the same time.
Riju and Buliara traded looks, silently communicating for a moment before Riju turned back to Kat and nodded. "That is acceptable. Would tonight be fine?"
"Yep, that should give me plenty of time to get some materials together."
Riju raised an eyebrow. "Materials?"
Kat grinned. "Well, if I'm going to do this, I'm going to go all-in, right? With Ashai's classes, I've just been talking. But for you? I'll give you a full blown course on everything you need to know, and that includes some educational material."
"I… see," Riju replied, nonplussed. "Well, if you think that's for the best, I won't stop you. Is there anything that you might need?"
"Nothing I can't get my own hands on," Kat replied. She really didn't need much, or anything at all strictly speaking, but she did need time to put her real plan into action. And speaking of which… Kat turned her gaze to Buliara. "Though I do have a request that you might not like."
Buliara's expression didn't change, but the weight of her gaze on Kat felt heavier. "And that is?" Buliara asked.
"Well, when I said everything, I meant it," Kat said. "Including some of the more intimate aspects, if you know what I mean." Judging from Riju's nearly-imperceptible blush, she did. "I think it will be awkward enough with just me present, but with a parental or guardian figure there as well… she might not be able to focus."
Buliara's face was like stone. "You want to be alone with Riju at night, without me there."
Kat paused. "...yes?"
"Absolutely no-"
"It's fine," Riju said, cutting Buliara off. Both of the others turned to look at her and saw that her cheeks were much darker as she blushed and refused to meet either of their eyes. "I agree with Kat. Supervision will only make it more… difficult."
Buliara let out a sigh, obviously disapproving but knowing she wasn't going to convince Riju otherwise. Instead she turned back to Kat. "Very well, but I will remain close by, just in case."
"Of course, that's only reasonable!" Kat agreed readily. Getting Buliara out of the room was technically an optional requirement for her plan.
"Far enough away that you cannot overhear us, however," Riju insisted.
Buliara looked decidedly unhappy with that, but she nodded. "I will remain down here, in the throne room, and I shall escort Kat to and from your living quarters, where the lesson will be held. Is this acceptable?"
Riju's expression was hard to read, but Kat had the feeling she wasn't happy about forcing Buliara to agree like that. "That is perfectly fine. Thank you, Buliara."
"No complaints from me," Kat added. "Tonight then?"
"I shall meet you in front of Ashai's classroom, once the air has grown cold and most have returned to their homes," Buliara replied. "Even should a few note you going there, they should not draw the correct conclusions, as you have visited there frequently the past few days."
"Smart thinking," Kat agreed with a nod. "I'll do just that, then! Is there anything else?"
Buliara looked at Riju, who shook her head, her blush almost faded. Buliara then turned back to Kat. "No, that will be all. Thank you for your cooperation."
"It's my pleasure!" Kat replied with a smile. It certainly would be, by the time she was done. "I'll see you then!"
After being dismissed, Kat walked back out of the throne room. Once again, she got a few more glances from people as she descended the stairs, but not much else. Like Kat thought, her being invited to meet Riju hadn't been strange at all, even if the meeting itself had been.
But Kat practically skipped back to the Inn, noting that Link wasn't anywhere in sight anymore, and busted into the room they were renting with a grin on her face. She found Ruru and Maomao already there, waiting for her.
"So? What happened?" Maomao asked, worried.
Kat closed the door behind her and made sure to keep her voice low. "Well… I've come up with the perfect plan, is what happened!"
Maomao blinked at her, took in the sight of Kat's grin, and felt a sudden surge of apprehension. "And… what plan is that?"
"I'm going to seduce Riju!"
The small spark of hope on Maomao's face died. "We're so doomed."
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AN: First off, sorry for the bad timing, but I'm taking a break for the holidays. I won't have as much time for writing over the next couple of weeks and don't wanna stress over getting a chapter out on time. So the next chapter will be on the 11th of January.
Floated my own personal explanation for why there's little to no Ancient Sheikah shit in Tears of the Kingdom, which isn't perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than the 'official' explanation of it all just disappearing one day with no one apparently caring. Also, in regards to the layout of the town and palace, I tried to stick to the game pretty closely, but everything's also just a bit bigger. Each building in town is bigger, and the palace is more than just two rooms, but it's as close as I can get while accounting for that.
I was originally going to include the first step of the 'heist' in this chapter, but it was getting a bit long and I didn't want to rush it. Next chapter will finish their mission, one way or another.
