Pieces of Time

Ch 5: Best Foot Forward

As if she didn't get enough stares already - the villagers had just started getting used to her presence, and then she started her training regimen with Impa.

For the past few days, the villagers outright gawked at her as she ran circuits around the village with Impa hounding her every step either encouraging her or berating her, whichever seemed more effective that day. The encouragement came when it seemed like she was about to give up entirely, the berating came when she was just tired and wasn't pushing herself as much as she could.

Now Kali hobbled – not walked - hobbled, on the main path of the village. She hadn't bothered to change into the clothes that seemed the most normal for women in the village, and stuck to her new beige leggings with boots, and a simple long-sleeved tunic with her cloak around her shoulders.

Every part of her body hurt, but she couldn't think of a better way to find relief from the soreness than to just work out her body some more. Even just walking was better than sitting around getting even more stiff.

Her hair was in a simple braid down her back, fully revealing her rounded ears. It wasn't as uncomfortable for her to feel strange to them anymore, so there wasn't really a point in hiding them now. The villagers knew she was here, had seen her training with – whom Kali had come to find out – was their village guardian. She wasn't exactly sure what to make of that but found that she wasn't surprised.

Impa told her that next week she would start studying the history of Hyrule and its people. From how Hyrule was created, to the different kinds of inhabitants, to the different regions and social customs.

"If you're going to try and stay here in the future," Impa had said that day while Kali was doubled over, regaining her breath from their run, "Then you should at least know what you're getting into."

Kali had given her a noncommittal shrugging motion while she held her arms above her head, bracing her hands on her head so her chest could expand further as she sucked in as much oxygen as she could.

Impa was right, but she didn't want to talk about the possibility of leaving right then. It seemed too soon to really contemplate that or sort out her complicated feelings about home. So, she asked Impa to continue their run before her thoughts were out of her control. Impa seemed to notice her sudden mood shift, and just agreed to finish the workout that day.

During her walk through the village Kali started to notice some changes and the high energy of the villagers milling about, talking amongst each other more excitedly than usual, stringing up little decorations.

Children were climbing trees to hang tiny bells on strings and adorn the branches with deep blue, green, and white ribbons. Women were talking in groups about who should cook specific dishes or bring cakes. Other groups talked about sewing dresses for their daughters or vests for their sons.

When they noticed Kali observing them, they seemed unsure of how to react. Some seemed like they might be more open about their plans, knowing that the odd stranger wouldn't have any idea what was going on, but didn't because they weren't sure what their friends thought. Kali just waved politely and moved on.

A while later, she made the agonizing climb up the ladder to her favorite spot by the windmill that overlooked the village. She shivered at the breeze as she watched people milling about merrily.

A head popped out from where the ladder rested against the cliff, and it made her jump.

"You gotta stop sneaking up on me like that," she breathed, putting her hand to her chest.

Link chuckled as he pulled himself up, "I keep forgetting that you're jumpy."

She made a face at him, getting comfortable in the grass again.