A Couple of Trials (ZeLink)

Chapter 21: An Irrational Concern

The moon had now risen high above the town, covering the buildings of Hateno in a blanket of dim, white light. While most of the buildings were dark, the windows of the Ton Pu Inn were still illuminated with a faint, orange glow. inside, Bolson, who had kept the dance party alive for an astounding hour and a half straight, had relinquished himself from the fun in order to rest with a final drink at one of the tables. With the music now slowing down and the main attraction gone, the laughter and cheer that had been echoing through the inn for the past few hours had finally started to die down to a quiet, yet relaxing murmur. Some had started to leave for home or the beds upstairs, others casually chatted, and the rest slept peacefully at their tables.

Though things had slowed, the waitress that had worked that night still remained fairly busy, whether it was getting the remaining (still awake) customers their final drinks or cleaning the dining hall by sweeping or wiping down the tables. As she went about her duties, cleaning with a small, happy smile on her face, from across the room, one still-hooded guest watched her from one of the tables against the back wall. With one leg over the other and his hand on the table, loosely holding the handle to his mug of milk, he smiled as he watched over her.

Despite what she may think, she already fits in, probably even more than me at this point, he thought as he brought the mug to his lips. To think there are some in this town who don't feel that way.

He glanced over to the other table that sat against the wall, where the two known gossipers of the town sat. After being passed around while drunk in the sea of dancing that had taken place only a little bit ago, they now looked tired and sullen as they sat quietly together, opting not to say anything more the rest of the night. Link chuckled to himself before looking out into the slowly thinning crowd.

It's been awhile since I've just been out like this, he continued to think as he set the mug back down on the table. There are those here I haven't spoken to in months, even though Zelda and I came back not too long ago. I really haven't been talking much with anyone, have I? When I look at all this, I feel kinda...

His eyes found their way back onto Zelda, who was now seemingly laughing at a joke Bolson had said as she passed by him.

"Lonely?"

Though he didn't let it show, the slightest bit of surprise jumped in the chest. He looked over to see a woman taking a seat at his table.

"Prima?" he asked. "What are you doing over here? Shouldn't you be managing the counter?"

"I stopped the drinks for the night," she said casually with a sigh. "I think everyone here has had enough... What are you doing over here by yourself?"

"You know, just watching," Link said. He brought the mug to his lips again and finished the drink before setting it back down on the table.

"You tend to watch over everyone a lot," Prima said as she leaned back in her chair. "We all know; it's how you've come to help us so much in the past. The thing is, you've always smiled, even while doing so. I guess it's just strange to see you so..."

"Silent?" Link asked.

"That's a good word for it," she replied.

"Then you guys don't know too much about me," he said, but Prima shook her head.

"But we do know you," she said. "Maybe we haven't known you as long as someone like Zelda, but we do know you; the strange traveler— with an odd personality— that appeared in the village one day. Sheesh, the first thing you asked me when we first met was what I like, and as strange as it was, it was just you trying to help someone out. Though, it was still weird, and I hate that you did that. But, I'm assuming many of your first interactions with everyone went something like that..."