A Couple of Trials (ZeLink)

Chapter 79: A Ballad of Companions

The glow of the orange sky above Gerudo Town suffused the sandstone buildings in a warm, golden glow. As a constant, tepid breeze blew through the town, echoes of a party and gossiping could be heard from within one building in particular–the pub known as the Noble Canteen. Inside, several groups of Gerudo women gathered—sitting on couches or barstools, drinks in hand—chatting. However, not all of the guests in the establishment were dark-skinned women. There was also a pair of light-skinned Hylian vai, one of whom was much louder than anyone else there.

"Hey, Furosa! Can I get another Noble Pursuit over here?" the raucous vai called cheerily. She was the taller of the two women, with purple hair covering one of her blue eyes.

"Jules, quiet down," the second, shorter vai said in a high-pitched voice. She was the shorter of the two, with long, shaggy, dirty-blonde hair that was mostly tied up at the back of her head. While both her own blue eyes were visible, she wore a veil that covered the rest of her face. "You're causing a scene. You've had too much to drink."

"What? I'm not causing a scene," the woman named Jules said, a bit louder than she intended, a clear flush to her cheeks. "Lighten up, Link! You worry too much! Furosa, I want another Noble Pursuit over here!"

"I think I have a right to be 'unlightened' right now," the vai named Link mumbled, surreptitiously looking at the Gerudo women around the room. Many of them had their gaze directed at the Hylian duo, and all eyes were full of disapproval. "Maybe it's time to call it a night."

"What? Already?" Jules screeched, almost falling off the couch. "The sun isn't even down! You tell me about all these adventures you have, and yet this is where you draw the line? You're supposed to have fun while drinking!"

"I can't drink for another few months, Jules," Link said. "Besides, this isn't a Hylian bar, it's a Gerudo one, and I don't think the Gerudo drink like Hylians do. It's amazing you haven't been thrown out yet if you drink like this every night."

"I don't drink like this every night," Jules said nonchalantly. "Only when you're around! I'm having a good time with you!"

"I'd feel better about that if we were in Hateno..." sighed Link. After another look around to gauge the intensity of Gerudo displeasure, she decided to stand. "Come on, we're getting you back to the inn."

"Awww, what?" Jules whined. "We're really calling it a night already? You're such a baby..."

"I'm only a year younger than you, if even that," Link said. "Let's go, before they ban you from this place. "

"Ugh, fine..." Jules relented. "You know, you'll understand when you're able to drink..."

"Hopefully that's in Hateno, where we can drink around other Hylians," Link said, meaning every word.

Shaking her head, she held out a hand to her friend. Jules mumbled something in disappointment before taking it, allowing herself to be pulled to her feet. Immediately, she stumbled, needing help to keep herself balanced. The two began to walk out, with Link silently apologizing to any Gerudo they passed, including the bartender, Furosa, whom she stopped to pay, before exiting the bar together.

"Careful down the—hey! Careful!" Link said as Jules almost tumbled off the side of the tall staircase they were walking down. "Whose great idea was it to make a tall staircase up to the bar?"

"Says you!" Jules said happily. "You always do crazy stuff! When did you start getting so cautious?"

"The moment my memory decided to come back," Link said as they came off the last step, her voice noticeably deepening. "The hotel is just down the road, almost there."