As they moved along the street of the busy market, Zelda's regal appearance attracted stares and whispers from curious pedestrians. Those few that recognized her gave her respectful nods and bows. Thankfully for her, she had thought ahead and chosen her most casual looking dress, so as not to draw too much attention to herself. She didn't think she could stand too much fake courteousness. It wasn't her they were being polite to; it was the Princess of Hyrule.
"Here," Samus said handing Zelda the apple she had grabbed from the servant who brought them breakfast. "You didn't eat this morning. That's not good."
Zelda smiled warmly, "Thanks."
She would never get any of that from Samus. Though rough around the edges, her behavior and words were always genuine and sincere. Samus' candid honesty was one of the things Zelda loved most about her. Even if she had a tendency to hide things, nothing that she did or said was ever false or phony.
Zelda looked to her softly. She leaned into Samus and nudged her playfully with her shoulder, knocking her off track slightly, grabbing her attention. Samus looked at her curiously; Zelda gave her a wry smile and Samus uneasily smiled back.
Zelda had been so affectionate earlier that morning, she responded in kind. It seemed surreal now, like what she imagined a normal dream would be like. She was still trying to fully grasp this strange new situation she found herself in, and wasn't entirely sure how she should feel about it.
'She's in love with me... I still don't think I can get my head around that. What does she see in me? What is there to love? What does that even mean? What does it feel like for her? Why is she--'
"Samus," Zelda said, saving her from her torrent of questions.
"Hmm?"
"Tell me about your childhood."
"You- you know already... I--"
"I mean what happened after that. You said you were rescued and adopted by people called... Chozo. A different species, not human?"
"Uh, yeah, Chozo, that's right. They found me in the ruins there. I don't remember that part as much, though. They brought me back to one of their colonies, a planet called Zebes, and I lived there for most of my childhood."
"Was it strange growing up with people from a different species?"
"No... It was all I knew, so it seemed normal to me."
"So, what were the Chozo like? What kind of people were they? They must have been pretty amazing to have raised such a wonderful person as you."
"They were ok." Samus sighed. 'Wonderful? Oh, Zelda... I'm not what you think I am.'
"Just Ok?"
"They were very advanced, highly intelligent too; bird like, you know, beaks and feathers and everything, but they couldn't fly. They were cold though; clinical; all business, never showing emotion... I guess I sort of picked that trait up from them... uh... Anyway, they gave me my armor and a ship when I left. But not that same ship I have now."
"Oh? What happened to the one they gave you?"
"Got stolen. I didn't understand what crime was at the time. When I first left the Chozo, the first time I left that ship docked, I just left it open with the engines on. Someone took off with it."
Zelda smiled sadly, she knew exactly what it felt like to be naïve about certain things that most people should know.
"I think we're very similar in that regard."
"Huh? Someone stole a ship from you?"
"No we... We both grew up separated from the world we live in; naïve about it."
Samus chuckled to herself. She was about to say, 'You don't know the half of it,' but Zelda interrupted her thought process.
"Oh... Look." Zelda stopped at an outdoor shop that was selling rugs. "Look at this one," Zelda said, pointing a large, lushly decorated rug draped over the display bar behind the shopkeeper. "Won't that go well with my room's décor?"
"How should I know?" Samus shrugged.
"How much is that one?" Zelda asked the shopkeeper.
"Twelve hundred, m' lady."
"Twelve... hmm..." She looked through her money purse, counting up her rupees.
"Not enough? I'd lend you some but I don't think they take Federation credits here."
"No, I have enough, but this isn't what we came to get, and I don't want to get caught without enough later."
"And what would that be exactly?"
"Alright then, let's move along now, I can get the rug some other time," she said, deliberately not answering Samus' question.
As they continued on down the street, Zelda smiled at the situation: walking the busy streets of the market, no guards and no advisors, just her and Samus, walking side by side; it truly warmed her heart. She could hardly wait to show Samus her surprise.
Samus, on the other hand, felt quite different; she was having doubts about her agreement to stay in Hyrule. She never intended this when she came back. All she wanted was to smooth things over with Zelda. She only agreed to stay because Zelda looked so hurt.
'Is that reason enough?'
Zelda loved her. She kept saying these nice things to her; calling her all sorts of kind words. To Samus it was like an incomprehensible puzzle or a complex equation; it needed solving, but the answer just kept eluding her.
Didn't Zelda get it? Doesn't she understand what Samus does and what she is? Did Zelda think she was some sort of valiant or noble person, some kind of... what? Hero? She was just a bounty hunter; a mercenary... nothing more than a hired gun and only a step above the thugs and vermin she hunts.
She kept turning it over and over in her head not coming to any conclusions. She wanted to figure it out though, she needed to. Her confusion and fear had hurt Zelda before, the thought of doing that again really sat poorly with her.
"Hey, Samus," Zelda spoke, up noticing how quiet she was.
"Y-yeah?"
"Um... tell me more about space travel." Zelda attempted to spark conversation.
"There's not much to tell... it's just routine for me, nothing extraordinary about it."
"Well the entire concept just seems so amazing; seeing completely new worlds, meeting different kinds of people... um, aliens."
'Many who will try to kill you,' thought Samus.
"Can you just take off and go wherever you want?"
"Yeah, of course"
"That must feel incredible."
"Not really, it's just normal."
"I don't know, I just think it must make you feel incredibly free." Zelda said dreamily.
"Free?"
"Yes; to not be bound to one place, to be able to escape and go far, far away." Zelda sighed with a distant look in her eyes.
'Oh, now I get it. She must feel trapped here.' Samus figured out her fascination. "Well, I guess I would feel pretty limited if I couldn't move around the galaxy freely. I'll make sure to take you sometime."
"Really?"
"Yeah, we... we can go anywhere you want; you decide."
"Samus... that would be so amazing, I... Thank you."
"Just remind me if I forget."
"Ok... I just wish we had something like that here in Hyrule."
"Eventually your people will figure out interstellar travel, though probably not for hundreds of years."
"Oh? Why so long? Is it that hard to do?"
"There are lots of obstacles to overcome. Many are far beyond your society's primitive technology."
"For instance..." Zelda scowled.
"Life support for one, space is a very inhospitable environment to human life, there are all sorts of hazards you need to protect the travelers from. Then there's the problem of a power source strong enough to feed a ship's numerous systems. All this needs to be precisely controlled, and you guys are a long way off from developing computers. And finally and most importantly you need to discover how to travel faster than light; otherwise, a single trip would take hundreds of years."
"Oh, but I thought that was impossible."
"It is impossible... How... how would you even know that?"
"Maybe we're not as primitive as you think," Zelda said smugly. "And if it is impossible, then how do you do it."
"Well, you don't really. A ship doesn't actually travel faster than light, though it does appear to. What happens is the engines fold space around the ship so that the distance traveled is actually much smaller."
"How does it fold space?"
"I really don't know much beyond what that, I'm not an engineer you know; I shoot things for a living."
"Oh..."
"If you want to know more, I could get you some books and technical manuals on the subject. I don't have the head for that kind of stuff. Though, you probably do, especially with that Triforce thing you have."
"Thank you. I'd love to read something like that."
"You know, Zelda, you'd make a good scientist; you're really intelligent."
"You think so? I'm that smart?" Zelda said shyly, while blushing. No matter what it was about, Zelda enjoyed it immensely when Samus complimented her.
"I do. And, uh... Link thought so too."
"He... he did?"
"Yeah, he told me."
Zelda's mild surprise faded into a soft smile, she took Samus' hand in hers.
"Thanks for telling me." She said as she lightly leaned against Samus.
'Zelda,' Samus sighed. 'You're so persistent.'
She couldn't accept Zelda's confession before because she didn't understand how anyone could have feelings for her. She couldn't believe she was capable of being loved. By now she was starting to accept that fact, no matter how slowly; though, she feared Zelda's feelings were based off of some false impressions of her.
'She has to be mistaken. How can she think so highly of me? She deserves better than me. She is so much better... I should be the one that's in lo-... Uh! That's... what am I thinking?' She shook her head and tried to clear her thoughts. 'Don't think so hard.'
Once they reached the busy part of town, something suddenly caught Zelda's eye.
"Oh!" She exclaimed and dragged Samus into a small boutique shop.
"What?"
Inside Zelda approached the clerk behind the counter and inquired about a hair ribbon she saw in the window. It was a long, thin, dark-red, silk ribbon, that Zelda thought would go well with one of her formal dresses. In addition to the ribbon, she bought some perfume and pale-red lipstick
Samus wandered about the shop as Zelda talked to the clerk. She casually looked over a glass case with jewelry in it. Many of the pieces were diamond and gold or silver. One set of ear rings had three triangle-cut diamonds arranged to look like the symbol that she saw all over the place in this world, and the same symbol that appeared on Zelda's hand when she used her magic.
'Hmm that Triforce must be pretty important to these people; its symbol is everywhere.'
"Do you see anything you like?" Zelda said standing over her shoulder.
"No. I was just curious. Are we done here?"
"Mm-hmm." Zelda said and held up a small bag.
They left the boutique, and again Zelda took Samus' hand as they walked. After a short distance, Samus held up Zelda's hand and caressed the back of it with her thumb.
"Is this important? I see its mark everywhere."
Zelda looked a little surprised; she didn't expect such a thoughtful question from Samus. She smiled.
"Yes it's very important. The Triforce is a gift from the goddesses, not just to the ones that bear it, but to all of Hyrule."
"So, does that make you important to everyone else? I mean besides being the heir to the throne, being the one to hold that power, it must give you some sort of significance. You know, like religious significance."
"Our people aren't very religious, to be honest. We honor the goddesses and recognize their role in creating Hyrule, and their power and influence can be seen in many corners of this land. But regular worship isn't part of our lives. So, I don't really have much significance in that sense of things."
"But didn't you just say it's very important?"
"Well, yes, but I'm not. I'm more of its keeper than anything else. It has great power, especially when combined with the other two, and we can call on its power in times of need. Its purpose is to be used for the betterment of Hyrule, but it doesn't mean people worship me or bow at my feet... well not because of the Triforce at least."
"So, what about the other two?"
"What about them?"
"Why does... Well if they are gifts from goddesses, why does such an evil guy have one? Is the goddess of his Triforce evil?"
"Din's not evil. I don't really know how it came to be that he has the Triforce of Power. But I do know they are passed down from person to person over the generations. Ganondorf seemed to think that if he killed me he could take the Triforce of Wisdom from me... perhaps he obtained the one he has in the same fashion."
"So when someone dies...? Does that mean that... that Link..." Samus spoke cautiously with this subject.
"Yes. Someone else will receive the Triforce of Courage. It will most likely be a newborn, someone with similar qualities. Though... he was in a different dimension, could the Triforce find its way back to Hyrule? Or will someone in your world end up with it?"
"You're asking me?"
"No..." Zelda smiled and shook her head, "just wondering aloud. Hey, let's go. I see what we came for." Zelda walked a ways further then stopped and looked across the street at one of the store windows.
"What? This?" Samus looked to see a shop filled with all sorts of dresses of all types and styles. "You have an entire closet full of dresses."
"I know, but you're too tall to fit into any of mine." Zelda said coyly, finally revealing the true purpose of their shopping trip.
"What!? No way! You can't be serious."
"I'm completely serious."
"Zelda, come on, I'll look ridiculous."
"Why? I wear dresses all the time. Are you saying I look ridiculous?"
"Wha- No. Y-you look beautiful... I meant, I'd feel ridiculous."
"Because you've never worn one before?"
Samus just nodded.
"Well then you can just wear it when no one's looking, feel ridiculous for a short while, and then get over it and take me to the summer festival."
"Why do I need a dress to go to the festival?"
"Because... they have a dress code."
"They do not. And you're a terrible liar."
"Well... just because."
"I'm not getting out of this, am I?"
"No. Look, let's just look and see if there's anything you like. We don't even have to go in. We'll just stand at the window."
"Alright, fine."
They walked up and stood in the window for a bit.
"How about that one" Zelda said pointing to a very elaborate, expensive looking dress.
"Ugh... too frilly," Samus responded.
"What's wrong with frills?" Zelda asked. Samus just wrinkled her nose.
"Ok fine, what about that one there?" Zelda continued.
"With that neck? I'd feel like I'm choking."
After pointing out several more dresses, each of which, Samus had some problem with, Zelda got frustrated.
"Ok then, you pick one."
"Uh..." she huffed in annoyance. "That one looks ok." Samus pointed to a skimpy open back dress with spaghetti straps, and a V-neck that went down below the navel; more of an evening gown than a proper dress. "Actually, it might be fun to try something like that for a change."
"Are you joking? That's far too revealing."
"How? It'll cover my boobs."
"Not from the side, it won't."
"I don't see what the big deal is. It's the only one I like."
"Then you can buy it yourself. I am not paying for that."
"But they won't take my money here."
"Well, it's irrelevant because you certainly aren't taking me to the festival wearing something like that."
"Ugh... this is pointless," Samus muttered.
"Well how about that one?" Zelda pointed to a dress hung up in the corner. It was a simple garment with short sleeves and a medium-high neck line, similar to what Malon had on the other day; it was more of a casual-everyday-dress than the other ones they looked at. It appeared to be cotton and was mostly white with blue hemming and trim around the neck, waist, sleeves, and at the bottom of the dress. Samus shrugged but didn't say anything; she didn't seem to object.
"Alright, that one then. We'll come back for it; we need one other thing first."
"What?"
"It's right over here," said Zelda, dragging Samus down the street a ways. A few stores down, they came to an open outdoor booth with rows and rows of women's shoes.
Samus looked worriedly at Zelda. "I have shoes, and there's nothing wrong with them."
Zelda looked down at Samus' feet. "Those are boots, and there scuffed and dirty and don't go with that dress at all."
Samus frowned and picked up one of the shoes and eyed it with a grim look; it had heels.
"Don't worry; I wouldn't do that to you. I hardly ever wear heels myself." Zelda said with a slight laugh.
"Well, as long as it's comfortable," Samus said and turned her head, indicating her disinterest with the entire process.
Zelda looked around and picked out a flat-bottom Loafer, simple enough that Samus wouldn't reject it outright yet elegant enough for the look Zelda had in mind.
"Here. Find one like this in your size."
Samus sighed; annoyed that she had to put any effort into this. She went through several pairs and found one that fit. They paid the shop keeper and then returned to the store where they saw the dress. Entering the store, Zelda approached the girl behind the counter, inquiring about the dress they picked out earlier.
"My friend here would like that blue and white one over in the corner."
"Alright then. Let's see," the girl said and walked over and retrieved the dress. She held it up to Samus who didn't seem to appreciate it. "I'll need to take your measurements, let me just get my tape measure," she said and walked off.
"Why does she need to measure me?"
"So she can fit the dress for you. You can't wear it like it is."
"Why not?"
"Because it won't fit. It doesn't matter if you can manage to squeeze into it. It has to be properly tailored to fit your specific shape, or else it will bunch up in odd places and won't look proper."
"Ok, ok... I get it." Samus sighed, "Can't believe I'm agreeing to this," she said under her breath.
"So... umm... I need to get one other thing. You stay here and let the girl do her job. Ok? Be nice."
"Yeah ok... What are you getting?"
"Uh... nothing important, don't worry about it." Zelda said as she walked out the door.
'Ugh, now I think I probably should worry,' Samus thought. She sighed again, 'How long does it take to get a tape measure?'
She waited a few more minutes for the shop girl to finally return. She stretched the tape measure between her arms and held it up to Samus.
"Hold your arms out at your sides please."
Samus sighed and rolled her eyes; the shop clerk measured her from head to toe; "stand this way", "hold your arms that way", "take a breath and hold it." This was beyond annoying. At least the girl was half-way attractive, so Samus got to ogle her which eased the pain of the experience. As she knelt to measure, Samus could easily see down the girl's shirt. 'Eh, not bad.' She had pointed ears too, just like... Zelda. A smile came across her face. She wished Zelda was here to stare at.
'Ugh. What's wrong with me? She's not gone even five minutes and I miss her already. Am I that dependent on her now? How pathetic.'
"Ok all finished."
"Finally." Samus muttered.
"It should be ready in about an hour, miss."
"Thanks," Samus said and left the shop.
She stood outside and waited for Zelda to show up. She rested, leaning against the wall when a guy she was sure she'd never seen before waved to her and said "hi", then continued on his way; she only ignored him. She thought it was odd and dismissed it, thinking the guy probably mistook her for someone he knew. But when it happened with several more people, she felt awkward not doing anything, so she started giving them a nod and an awkward smile.
She had noticed it earlier when walking with Zelda, but she only thought it was because people recognized her. But it seemed the people here were just friendly like that. She recalled the times she been to a large city in her world. On a crowded street like this, most people kept to themselves, ignoring one another. A good portion would even ignore someone even if they were spoken to. It was odd how different this place was.
Though it was no surprise, everything was different here. Everything was easier, nicer, more relaxed; the people, their attitude, the atmosphere it created; even here on this busy street, they seemed at ease. It was more than that, though; the place had a different feel to it. The land, trees, and even the air; the environment itself, all seemed welcoming and non-threatening.
She recalled the serene scenery she observed the day before while riding with Zelda, and then later that night on the porch with Malon. Zelda had said it was a nice place to live, and that staying here would have an effect on her, and it was. Being here and getting away from her harsh life, as Zelda put it, really did take the edge off.
But that's what made her so good, a tough existence. It's why she was so focused and strong. It's why she had a perfect success rate, something not accomplished by any other hunter, ever. Her difficult life had tempered her into the perfect warrior, the perfect weapon. Losing her edge wasn't a good thing.
'Yeah, what the hell am I thinking? I haven't been training for a few days now. I haven't even thought about training until just now. The last time I was in a training room was with Zelda, and even then, I wasn't even training myself.'
She mulled over that last thought for a bit, 'I've been so preoccupied with her.'
Samus let out a huff. "God! I can't even check out pretty girls without ending up thinking about her." She said aloud.
'She really is a terrible distraction. I can almost feel myself getting weaker by the second... Maybe I should just leave. I really have no business being here.' She then noticed Zelda approaching from the midst of the crowded street, still a ways off.
'But then again...' Samus couldn't finish her thought, and Zelda drew nearer.
'When I look at her...' Again her thought went incomplete. Nearer still.
She sighed heavily. "Why does this have to be so difficult?"
"What's difficult?"
"Huh... nothing. Just talking to myself."
"Oh, so how did it go with the dress?"
"We have to wait. She said it would take an hour." Samus sounded irritated.
"Well that's alright. Shall we get something to eat while we wait?"
"Yeah, sure."
Zelda led the way as Samus trailed a few paces behind still lost in thought.
Hyrule really was different from where she was from. Samus couldn't help but think about what might be happening back in the Federation. It had been a concern residing in the back of her mind for a while. Was she needed? Was there an important job waiting? Were the Space Pirates on the move again, or was there some yet unidentified threat lurking out there?
'I should just leave. What am I doing here? I'm not accomplishing anything by this. She'd be upset, but she'll get over it... But I promised her... which were just words, they're not binding me here. Though, it's not like the Federation will collapse if I'm away for a week. I shouldn't worry so much... Ack! What the hell am I saying? Don't worry? I need to keep alert at all times, and stay focused!'
"Huh?" Samus looked up to see Zelda a few paces ahead of her, walking backwards and smiling at her. 'Damn it... what was I thinking about just now?' Her train of thought was completely lost by a mere look.
"There's a café just ahead. Let's go there."
"Uh... sure, ok."
'This isn't me. I'm the ruthless bounty hunter, the one that is feared the galaxy over; I fight space pirates, hunt down criminals and terrorists, exterminate species, and destroy planets. I'm not the 'kind' and 'compassionate' woman who goes shopping with her girlfriend and talks about her emotions late at night. What's happening to me?'
Samus glanced off into the distance, seeing the distant treetops over the shops of the cluttered and busy market. She just happened to be looking in the general direction of the gateway back to the inter-dimensional arena.
'I should just go... right now... Just turn and leave; walk back to the portal and go back where I belong. Just go... I can do it... it'll be easy.'
She felt Zelda take her hand and looked over to see her smiling up at her.
'Yeah right, who am I kidding?'
"Hughh," she sighed.
"What's wrong, Samus? You've seemed distant all day... What has you distracted?"
"Uh! Well... you."
"Aww... Samus..." Zelda blushed.
'I didn't mean it that way.' Samus couldn't bring herself to say it though.
They found the outdoor café not too far away, got a table, sat down, and ordered. Zelda tried to ignore the faint murmurs from some of the curious patrons at the other tables as they waited for their food.
"So, Samus, are you having fun so far?"
"We just got here."
"No I meant today over all."
"Shopping?"
"Yes."
"Not exactly my idea of fun."
"Well, what is then?"
"I-- hmm... I don't know, I guess I don't have one."
Zelda frowned "You mean you don't do anything for fun... ever?"
"No, I guess not. I spend most of my free time training myself."
"Oh..." Zelda paused. 'Ok change the subject.'
"Hmm... why don't you tell me more about what your childhood was like and about the Chozo. What was it like staying with them?"
"Why you want to know? Why so interested all the time?"
"Because, I want to know all about you... Don't you feel the same? Don't you want to know about me too?"
"I-- I do."
"But you don't ask much."
"Oh... sorry. I didn't know I was supposed to. "
"It's not a requirement. You don't have to if you don't want to."
"But I do... I am interested. I just never know what to say. I'll try better."
"It's ok," Zelda giggled, finding it cute that Samus had to be taught how to behave sometimes. "For now why don't you just try telling me about life with those Chozo."
"Well, there was the farm work, which I told you about. But other than that, mostly training, fighting, and learning things from the Chozo like science and how to repair machines... things like that."
"You were only a child though... didn't you have any friends you'd play with?"
"I was the only kid there, and the only human... There was never any time to 'play'."
"That's seems quite harsh of them, to burden a child with such heavy work."
"It wasn't so bad. It didn't bother me. Nothing really does anymore. Not after..." She paused for a short while, "After... the pirate raid, after seeing my mother... Well every thing else is... it just didn't bother me so much."
"I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--"
"It's fine."
"Ok, let's change the subject... Why did you decide to leave? If they were the only family you knew--"
"I didn't decide. They... kicked me out when I was fourteen."
"Oh, sorry... again."
"Said I was old enough; it was time to leave the nest... That was fun." She said sarcastically.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I lived with aliens the majority of my life up to that point. I had trouble adapting to human society. There were... issues. I didn't know how humans were supposed to interact. I guess I still don't to a degree."
"I think you're doing fine... all things considered," Zelda smiled at her.
"Thanks," Samus nodded back.
"So, you were all on your own at fourteen. No one took care of you?"
"I took care of myself," Samus said defensively.
"I didn't mean to suggest... ugh... It's just... well I've never been on my own. It's not something I can easily imagine someone doing... especially so young."
"It wasn't that hard, I hunted criminals and fugitives for the bounties on their heads to support myself, and... that's how it's been up to today," she said with a shrug.
"You really had to grow up fast, didn't you?"
Samus didn't respond verbally, but Zelda managed to interpret from her body language and expression that she agreed with that statement.
"It sounds like... Samus, don't you have any happy memories of your past?"
"Happy memories? ...No, I suppose... not really."
"Samus...uhh," she sighed. "Can I get a hug?"
"Zelda, don't pity me."
"I'm not, I was just... I want to hug you right now. Is that ok?"
Samus shrugged and got up from the table. Zelda stood too and caringly embraced her, though it was more for Zelda's sake than Samus'.
"I think it's time we changed that though," Zelda spoke softly into her ear. "That's why I think it's good for you to stay here, and especially attend the summer festival."
"You think so?"
They were interrupted by their food arriving and sat back down as the waiter served them.
"Yes, I think it will be great. I know you'll enjoy it. So are you looking forward to it?" Zelda continued as the waiter left.
"I haven't even thought about it since what you said the other night. Never been to a festival before, I have no idea what to expect."
"It's a magnificent event. There's tons of great food and drink, games where you can win prizes, music, shows, and a fireworks display at the end of the evening."
"Sounds... really nice."
"Yes, it'll be great. You can wear all the nice clothes I got for you, and I'll get all dressed up too, and look really pretty for you, and we'll go together just like a real date, it will be just lovely. Wont it?" Zelda was particularly sunny.
"Yeah..."
"I'll wear this..." Zelda reached into her shopping bag, strung out the ribbon, and held it up to her hair. "Don't you think it will look good on me?"
"I guess..."
"Samus... you're supposed to compliment me."
"Uh... I mean you'll look nice no matter what you wear." She quickly corrected herself. "You don't need things like that to look attractive..."
"Hmm..."
"But... uh... I'm sure it will look great..." Samus smiled awkwardly.
Zelda couldn't help but smile at her sheepishness. "It will be nice to have someone to go with this year," she said changing the subject.
"This year?"
"You see, this thing... well, your supposed to go with someone you care about, it's tradition. Most years I would go by myself... if you don't count my armed escorts. I always felt left out during those times."
"Oh... sorry."
"I convinced Link to take me once, but he was seeing Malon, I don't think she appreciated that at all... He went with her the times after that."
"Oh, well... don't worry about it any more. I'll take you this time."
Zelda smiled and said "Thanks." Though, she found herself wishing Samus had promised to take her not only this but every time after as well.
A short silence fell between them as they ate.
In between two forkfuls, Samus glanced up to see Zelda staring at her.
"What...? Am I eating wrong? Sorry, I am trying, but I've never had to be polite before."
"I really appreciate what you did for me earlier, when you made me stand up to Gaebora."
"Oh."
"I should have done that a long while ago."
"I couldn't take the way he was treating you. It made you feel bad," Samus said shyly.
Zelda smiled. "I don't think I could have done that without you, thanks."
"I'm sure he'll just love that fact," Samus said, rolling her eyes.
"Yes, he seems to have a real problem with you."
"Yeah... maybe he's..." Samus sighed.
"What?"
"Well... uh, we shouldn't let him know about us, that we're... you know, in a relationship. I'm sure he already suspects that on some level though."
"Why not tell him?" Zelda again got a suspicious feeling with regard to Gaebora; though, she couldn't quite match a coherent thought to it. It was something that had been milling about her head ever since she figured out her sexuality, a phantom of a thought which she just couldn't force to take shape.
"Well... people like him... I mean I could be wrong, he could just be overprotective in general, but just... let's not say anything to him until I'm sure. It could cause problems."
"Oh... alright..." Zelda said a bit unsure. She took another bite of her food, then a sip of her drink. "You said relationship."
"What?"
"You said we are in a relationship just now."
"Uhh... well I just meant--"
"I know what you meant, but... Samus, how do you view our relationship?"
Samus turned her head to the side. "I... I don't know."
"You want me to tell you how I see it?"
"I guess..."
"Well we're... I'm never really sure how to call what we are; we're both girls, so the usual terms don't really fit, but I guess that doesn't matter. What matters is how we feel, and... well... I love you, and I want the two of us to be happy and to be together."
"I'm here aren't I? I don't have to be, but I am. I'm choosing to stay with you."
"You don't have to get defensive; I'm not accusing you of anything. I just want to know what you think."
"Uh, sorry... I... I don't really know what to tell you when I'm not even sure myself. I'm not... I'm not used to things like this, it's confusing. I've never been... close to anyone before."
"You didn't seem too confused when you were seducing me."
"That's different, that was just sex."
Zelda's face fell. "So it didn't... it didn't mean anything to you?" Samus detected a hint of true heartache in her voice. "That can't be true."
'Crap, I completely blew it with that. What a stupid thing to say.'
"It did! It did mean something. It's just that... I never intended it to, or expected it could... but it did."
"Never intended... So... when you came to my bed that night, you only meant to take advantage of me?" Zelda sounded even more hurt than before.
"What? No!"
'Now I'm only making it worse.'
"I... I really liked you and thought you were attractive, and that we could have a good time together, that's all. And we did... but then after, that's when it got confusing... because it was... significant."
"It was?"
"Yes... but I don't know in what way... hence the confusion..." Samus sighed heavily. "I... I admit at first my interest in you was just a physical attraction. But I--"
"Oh," Zelda looked dejected, "I just thought that you wanted to do those things with me because you really liked me as a person."
"Zelda! I do! ...And, I did at the time. I just... never thought in those terms before... liking someone that way." Zelda's expression improved slightly but she was still pouting. "Zelda... It... it was you that made me start to see things different... That means something. Right?
Zelda sighed and smiled slightly. "Well-- well yes. It... it does," she said softly while nodding.
"And I really do like you... once I got to know you that is... you know, that time at lunch when we first talked. You... you weren't like anyone else I'd ever met."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah! Come on, you're... my favorite person in the entire universe... no, in two universes."
Zelda couldn't help but genuinely smile.
"I... I didn't mean to say that before... I just meant the sex part wasn't confusing for me, but all the other stuff... the talking we did after and this sense of closeness I have with you... that was, because that didn't happen the other times. I've just... I've been having these feelings... inside me, and... they're new and alien and I don't know what I'm supposed to do with them or where they fit into the person that I am."
"I understand... I suppose I took what you said the wrong way. Sorry."
"Look, I don't know how to classify 'us' either, but like you said, what matters is how we feel. And... while I'm not certain of that, I do know... I like being near you, Zelda. And... it matters to me what happens to you... if you're sad or happy, or if something's bothering you," Samus sighed. "I guess I... I don't know, I don't understand it, but it's like I've just become... attached to you... somehow. I don't know..."
Smiling, Zelda reached across the table and took her hand.
"Sorry I can't give you answers. It's important to you, and I--"
"No, you've told me plenty. And I didn't mean to pressure you about it... I know this is new for you."
"I don't mind..."
"That's good because I have another question, and you don't have to give me an answer, I just want you to think about... well, what are your intentions?"
"Hmm?"
"I mean... the other night you said you would stay with me and try to work at this... You left it very vague... I... It's been bothering me, but I want to know what you intend for us... what do you see in the future?"
"What do you want me to say? I don't look to the future much at all... and for something like this... I... I don't know what to expect," Samus sighed.
"Well what do you want?"
"Don't put this on me. What ever you want, I'll go by it. I just don't want to hurt you like before."
"Samus, that's very thoughtful, but... this isn't some kind of test. There's no right or wrong answer. I just want to know what you want. You must have your own desires, your own idea of where you want to go with this... with me."
"Well I... I just... ugh." Samus wanted to blurt out what she had been thinking about all day, but she just couldn't say that to Zelda, it would devastate her. Besides, she wasn't at all sure that was how she truly felt either.
"It's alright... I guess that's too much right now. You don't have to answer, just think about it."
"No, I do have to give you an answer, but I'm... I don't think I can just yet."
"That's fine, don't worry about it."
"I will get you an answer, once I figure it out myself. I promise. You deserve it."
"Mmm," Zelda smiled and nodded "Thanks."
They ate the rest of their lunch in relative silence. When Zelda finished her food and put her fork down, she looked to Samus, who was sitting there impatiently bouncing her knee, having finished much sooner.
"Well, we should probably go and pick up your dress now. It's been almost an hour, hasn't it?" Zelda said.
"Yeah, about."
They paid their bill and left. On the way to pick up Samus' dress, she looked to Zelda as a thought crossed her mind.
"Um... Zelda."
"Yes?"
"When I met you... that was one... one happy memory I have."
End Part Fourteen