Legend of Zelda: Divine Vessel

- XIII -

Just as Nova was inside of the inn, the rain poured, pounding on the stone buildings.  However, she had no desire to remain restrained inside.  So, like any crazy person, she flung the doors of the balcony wide open and walked into the pouring rain.

She began by singing in almost a whispered tone.  She sang the same song that she had sung during the festival.  But this was much more quiet and personal, and she was already crying, finally understanding the lyrics completely and taking them to heart.

As soon as she realized the sound of the rain colliding with the stone of the town was much louder than her own voice, she belted the lyrics of the song.  Crying out her gratitude and love for Zelda, Midna, Halo, and even... Link.

However, something about admitting this closeness to Link tugged at her heart.  But she still sang on the top of her lungs, crying in the rain.  She did not care that the clothes she wore were plastered to her skin, outlining every curve and crevice of her body, nor the fact that her hair was sticking to her back and chest, covering chilled portions of her body.

Her words came to a sudden stop when she heard shuffling from the balcony next to her own.  She looked over to meet Link's concerned blue eyes.

"What are you doing out here?!" He yelled from his balcony, soaking himself in the rain as well.  Nova didn't respond, but looked away insecurely.  Dissatisfied with her lack of acknowledgment, the blonde boy climbed to the railing of his balcony, and leapt to hers, rolling as he collided with the concrete.  His one-shouldered, short kimono and pants where plastered to his wet skin as well.

"Are you alright?" He asked with concern.  Nova nodded, looking to the sky as the rain lightened slightly.  "Well, something is clearly on your mind.  You may as well tell me." He smiled, leaning on the railing of her balcony.

She made an effort to stop her tears from falling while the rain clouds were still releasing water droplets.

"Thank you..." The brunette mumbled quietly.

"You know, I really can't hear you over the rain." He said, rather loudly to emphasize the sound of the rain.

"Thank you, Link." Nova said more loudly, meeting his eyes as she did so.

"What are you thanking me for, exactly?" He chuckled, unsure of what to think.

"For being there for me; for taking me in like an abandoned child; for being my friend and protecting me." She paused, raising her head so she was eye-level with the blonde.  "And for being you." The rain stopped, signifying the silence between the two at that moment.

"I should be thanking you, then." Link smiled cheekily, shining his brilliant eyes.  "For being you." He finished and stood from his leaning position on the balcony.  Looking at the ground below him, he approached the wet girl, pulling her into his arms, keeping her head resting on his shoulder.  "I can't even remember what my life was like before I met you, Nova."

He kept her there for a few moments, and then spoke again, changing to a different topic.  "Look down." He instructed quietly.

Now that the rain had stopped, the balcony was flooded with a thin layer of water.  Link and Nova hadn't moved, so the small pool had become motionless, and reflected the night sky like a glass mirror.  The stars shining in the velvet sky were now glowing below them.  It seemed almost magical.

"It's so... pretty." Nova stated in awe.  Link slowly released her, letting her get a complete view of the mirrored image.  "It's like a photograph." She mentioned.

"If it is like a photograph, then it will capture every moment that passes by." He suggested philosophically, receiving a nod from the girl who was watching her own mirror image.  "So, a moment like this won't be forgotten this time." His voice lowered as Nova looked up to meet his mysterious gaze.