Efflorescence (Zelink)

Firework

Each morning you have two choices: either you continue to sleep with your dreams, or wake up and chase them. My first dream is happiness. Not losing control anymore. My second dream is a boy with divine blue eyes, and... Sigh.

"Good morning, Zelda. Everything's alright?" I hold my hand behind my head, and move it to the side to glance at Palutena, who is doing her daily yoga.
"It helps. You should do it too, plus, today the training will start. I have washed your dress. It's in the bathroom."
"I couldn't ask for more", I answer thankfully, planting a kiss on her mermaid-green hair.
"Any time. And oh, look what's at the door?"
I grin at her, which she returns, and do it even wider, as I open the door: another bouquet. I immediately come up with an idea.

"Palutena, do you know how to make flower crowns?", I reclaim, inhaling the odor of the white blossoms.
"Sure."
She takes them, and quickly makes my wish come true. I sigh happily.
"Curl your hair in the meantime; once I've finished, I'll give it to you."
I nod, heading into the bathroom. The mirror makes me angry, but not for too long. I put lotion and heat-protector into my hair, curl it, and look at myself in the mirror: I look pretty. Truly pretty.
Behind me appears my friend, who places the crown on my hair.
"Beauty lays in simplicity." She gently kisses my hair.

After I've applied make-up, we walk together to the breakfast room. It's seven AM, too early for the others, but my friends have created an overwhelming meal for me. The amount of watermelon is depressing. And everywhere chocolate. But it all doesn't matter, it doesn't matter what lays on the table, but who has laid it down.
"Zelda!" I fall into the arms of Link, and he lifts me up.
"Thank you for the flowers", I whisper seductively into his ear. Link blushes hardly, remaining silent.
"I have arranged one training hall for us. We can start right after breakfast." I nod smiling.

Once we've had our own little meal, I go with Samus outside. The snow still falls.
"Snow is the pall of nature. After it has molten away, we will know joy", I comment, and a cloud of breath forms in the air.
"You are poetic, did you know?" I lean against her.
"I'm in this long and confusing process of figuring out what I want to do with my life. Can we... Meet this evening? We can really drink hot cocoa and stuff..." Samus nods her blonde head.
"Of course, Zelda."
I purr thankfully.

-

"Here we go."
I stand in front of a wall, filled with countless weapons. My jaw drops. Link hugs me from behind, and puts his chin on my hair, where the flower crown still is. Mr Sakurai has opened training hall number five for us.
"I have no idea where to start...", I say, and he laughs.
"Let's start classically. Grab a sword. It should feel good in your hand."
I step forward, regarding all of my choices: thin, thick, long, short, heavy, light, ugh...
"Can you recommend anything?", I ask helplessly.
"Take the long, thin one. It's quite good for starters", he answers, and hands it to me.
"Let's test it."

We go into the middle of the room, and I swing the blade around.
"The first rules you got to know are: stay calm. Exhale, and inhale regularly.
Second, don't get too close to your opponent, thus take a step back.
Third, always keep moving. It's going to be harder for your partner to hit you.
Always watch your opponent, but never their weapon. Watch their step closely. Don't swing to hard, and never keep your attack patterns."
"That's a lot", I whistle frightened.
"See, and learn."

Link at first checks his surroundings. As he is fine with it, he keeps his weapon in front of him. I hold it just like he does. "When you cut down, make sure you don't use all of your power, it should be just a small movement", he advises. "Keep your body balanced so you can strike or parry without being hit. Protect yourself well. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Good. Now, attack me."
I try to, and unfortunately, I hit him harder than I thought I would.
"Oh Hylia, Link, sorry!", I cry out, while my sword falls to the ground.
"It's okay. That's why we are here, aren't we? Anyway, do it again. It was excellent for a beginner." I blush slightly, proud of myself.
And I do it again.
For hours.