The Carnival Of Time
by
Rebecca Anna Coleman
A Legend of Zelda Fanfiction
I am not claiming ownership of The Legend of Zelda
My name is Talon, I'm fourteen and I live with my mother and my aunt, both are owners of the famous Romani Ranch. A ranch that is world famous for a special brand of milk called 'Chateau Romani'. My mother and aunt inherited the ranch when my grandmother passed away last spring.
Anyway, it's early spring here at the ranch. The mornings are pleasant enough I suppose, but the late afternoons are hot and humid and the nights are just as cold and bitter as the heart of winter. I follow ranchers schedule. I rise before the sun, milk the cows, feed them and then move them into the pasture.
Once the cows are out at pasture they can pretty much take care of themselves. It's then time for breakfast, normally breakfast is either oatmeal or toasted bread, with milk of course. After breakfast mom normally forces me to sit at the table and do lessons. My Aunt is a school teacher in yonder Clock Town and often she leaves me lessons to complete while she away teaching the sons and daughters of Clocktown cornerstones of the annual diploma exams, that being, reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Those lessons normally eat up most of my morning. But by afternoon mom had finished her chores, lunch is normally a tray of salted meat, sliced cheese, crusty bread and jug of spring water. After lunch she sends me out to play. I normally spend my afternoons watching the cows and fishing from one of the many small cow ponds that dot our northern pasture land.
When the first star appears in the night sky, I know it's time to bring the cows back to the warmth and safety of the barn. Once they are secure for the night. I return to the farm house to wash away the grit and grime of another hard day. About the time I'd finished with my bath, my aunt has returned from Clocktown and had finished looking over and grading my lessons. Mom too has finished with her chores and we all settle down for dinner. Normally dinner is something special, either it's a piece of beef mom has had roasting all day or some kind of chicken dish, sometimes if we're lucky it's fried fish.
Dinner was a kind of special time of the day, because all three of us gathered around the old kitchen table. Normally my aunt would tell my mom and I the latest gossip going on in town, who was dating who and what new shops had opened up in clock town. Mom would tell us about her day, and I'll just sit and listen and soak it all up.
After dinner, we'll normally gather around the fireplace, and I'll read from one of the old leather bound books my mom collected. Like most modest houses we had our own modest, personal library.
Anyway our story opens at the closing of another day. The cows had been safety put away in the barn. And now my mom, my aunt, and I had gathered around the old kitchen table. In the middle was a large black kettle, inside the kettle was a simmering, hearty stew, large cubes of beef floated in a sea of brown broth, surrounded by chunks of orange carrots and thick slices of white potatos.
On the side are a loaf of fresh, baked bread, and beside the bread a patty of white butter that had been sprinkled with a little salt. And rounding out the meal was a large, yellow cake that had been smothered in thick, dark brown, chocolate frosting. It was a feast fit for the bourgeoisie of Clock Town.
“Wow.” My aunt said with a smile, “Never knew my little sister could cook like this? What is the occasion? Did the goons under the hill finally decide enough is enough and pull down that eye-sore of a shack they call a house?”
The 'Goons' my aunt was talking about was the Gorman Clan. The Gorman Clan was a bunch of in-breed, crooks Ever since I could remember my family and the Gorman Clan have been feuding over the right to supply Clock Town with milk. They claimed our milk was watered down and not worth drinking, we, we'll since my great-grandmother's time, have time and time again proved them to be nothing but a bunch of liars, horse thieves, and crooks. Nobody in Clocktown or in Mountain Village really trusted them, and nobody wanted much of nothing to do with them.
My mom smiled a little and shook her head.
“I wish, but I don't, what got me in a good mood is that the Stock Pot Inn has finally agreed to renew its contract with us. The new owner of the inn, a sweet woman who is around my age, named Medi has finally seen the light and has grown tired of the inferior milk the Gorman Clan has been selling her.” Mom said, smiling.
My aunt smiled and leaned back in her chair.
“Wonderful! More business meaning more rupees and more rupees means we can finally afford to get some things fixed around here. Maybe we can finally afford to take a holiday.” My aunt said with a small smile. She then shifted her blue eyes toward me.
“So, what did you to today nephew? Did you finish all the work I left for you?” It was a direct question. And one I had no way of avoiding. And the way mom was looking at me, I knew I better answer quickly and truthfully.
“Yes ma'am.” I said, sighing. “You really laid it on thick this time.”
“Well, I'm preparing you to take the exams.” My aunt said, giving me a side eye look. “You're fourteen now and this summer you'll be fifteen. This autumn you'll be sitting for your first exams. If you pass, which you will, you'll be awarded a diploma. With that diploma you can sit for either he civil or military exams”
“I know it's hard work.” My mom chimed in. “Balancing both school work and the chores that I need you to do around the ranch. But I want more for you. I believe in you.”
I blushed a little. And that seemed to that. Mom smiling from one ear started to fill and pass out wooden bowls that were filled with the hearty stew around the table. And once everybody had a bowl all conversation seemed to cease. Well it ceased till everybody had emptied their first bowl and had gone for seconds.
“So, the Carnival of Time is only three weeks away.” My aunt said. “Given any thought what you want to go as this year?” The question was not directed at anybody really.
“Oh! I forgot about the Carnival of Time!” Mom said. Her eyes seemed to twinkle a little. “I bet I could make a ton of money! You know there are going to be a lot of thirsty people there!”
“Leave it to my little sister to turn the most celebrated event of the year into a chance to make a few quick rupees.” My Aunt said, rolling her eyes a little.
My mom blushed a little and maybe even gave a little pout.
“So, what about my nephew?” My aunt said,
“I'll have to think about it.” I said blushing a little as I looked down at my stew. Truthfully, I've forgotten all about the Carnival of Time, even though it was the most celebrated event of the year. The Carnival of Time was a celebration that marked the completion of one cycle, well it marked the completion of one cycle and the start of another one. It celebrated the renewal of life after the bleakness of winter.
“How about a princess?” My Aunt said smiling. Her eyes twinkled with mischief. “You used to enjoy those cradle stories of the many adventures of the fable princess of Hyrule, Zelda and the heroic struggle of the mystic Hero of Time as he battled across time to save a doomed kingdom from the bandit thief-king Gandororf.”
I blushed.
My aunt laughed a little. My mom giggled a girlish giggle.
“I mean you have your father's hair, golden blonde like the princess in the story books, your eyes match her eyes, and you're like her, tall and slender. You could also go as the fabled hero, but I don't think green is your color and you alo lack a fairy.”
my blushed deepened.
“I'll do it.” I said blushing a little as I shoved a spoon full of stew into my mouth.
Silence. Mom and my aunt exchanged looks. Mom fell into a fit of girlish giggles and my aunt just sat there with her mouth wide open.
“What?” My aunt said, blinking.
“I said I'll do it.” I said looking down at my lap as I shoved another spoon full of stew into my mouth.
“I was joking..” My aunt said and all of a sudden she seemed a bit confused. “I mean.. if you want to do it that's fine, but I don't want you to think I'm forcing you to go as a girl. Though I'm sure you'll look cute as one!”
“I said I'll do it!” I said, sighing as I shoved another spoonful of stew into my mouth. “Nobody is forcing me to do anything!”
And that seemed to settle the matter.
End of Chapter One.
The Carnival of Time
by
Rebecca Anna Coleman
A Legend of Zeldan Fanfiction
I am not claiming ownership of the Legend of Zelda
I took a deep breath as I peered out across the broad rolling pasture land. A gentle spring breeze caused the tall green grass to sway back and forth. Releasing my deep breath I peered up at the sky, the sky was filled with dark, iron gray clouds that held the promise of rain.
“Hey Talon!” A voice called out from behind me, I quickly turned around and noticed my mother was coming up from behind me. “Could you please give me a hand collecting some eggs! The Cuccos are really laying the eggs for some reason! I could use an extra hand!” I then noticed she had two woven baskets resting in the crook of her arm. The first straw woven basket was filled to the top with smooth, oval, white eggs. The second one was empty
I blinked and slipped off the wooden fence and smiled.
“Sure mom!: I said as I walked to greet her, soon I was standing beside her, mom smiled and handed me the extra woven basket.
“Thank you! So.. About last night.” Mom paused and looked away.
“Listen mom,” I said blushing.
“No, I mean I'm fine with that. And if you want to go as a princess I'll do everything I can to help you. You're my child and I want to support you. It's just..” Mom paused again and once more looked away. “It just..” Her voice trailed a little.
“It's just what?” I asked as I took the woven basket from her hand.
“It's just that there's more to being a girl than putting on a dress. There is a lot of extra stuff you gotta do if you want to pull it off. I mean, sure any guy can put on a dress and walk around town. And often that is seen as humorous or funny.” Mom seemed to be struggling with her words.
I shifted my attention toward mom as I shifted the basket to the crook of my arm.
“But when a guy or a boy makes an effort to act like a girl, say in manners, tone of voice, and takes on a demure pose.. that is seen as cute or adorable. There is a big difference between the two! So I just wanted to know if you are going for the funny side of things or the adorable side of things.” The way mom spoke, the way she seemed to fumble over her words reminded me of a person walking across a pond that had a thin sheet of ice across it. It was like she was afraid that at any moment she might make one wrong move, and boom she'll fall through the ice.
“I suppose I'm going for the adorable side..” I said, it was now my turn to blush.
“Oh! Good!” Mom said smiling. “Okay! So with that being said, I'll start teaching you everything I know about being a woman!”
“.... WHAT?!” I said my eyes went wide saucer plates.
Mom giggled a little and smiled.
“Oh don't worry, Marin, you mommy is going to take really good care of you. When I'm done with you, you'll be the perfect princess! You'll have all the boys of Clock Town eating out of your dainty little hand! Oh Marin, this is going to be so much fun!”
“Marin?” I asked as I cocked my head to the said.
“Yes, remember she was the heroine of the old fable 'Ballad of the Windfish' remember you used to love that story, of how the Hero of Light, after sealing away the even Ganon in the dark world again with the help of princess Zelda and the seven maidens went on a training quest. And during his quest the ship he was on was caught in a violent gale and was smashed to pieces. Floundering and gasping for breath the hero clung to a piece of wood that was all that remained of his ship before he passed out. And when he awoke he found himself washed ashore on the mystic island of Kololint!” Mom said, smiling. “I used to read you that story every night when you were a toddler! You used to sit on my lap while I read it to you!”
I felt my cheeks start to grow red.
“MOM!” I said loudly.
“And you used to love the parts when the heroine of the fable, Marin appeared to help the hero on his quest to wake the fable Wind Fish! So I figured that Marin would be the perfect name for you!”
“MOM!” I said loudly again as I turned around.
“Yes sweetie?” Mom said smiling, then then snapped her fingers together. “Oh sweetie! I'm so sorry, how could I possibly forget! You need a formal picture taken of you! We'll have to go by the Picto Box gallery next time we're in town! No, I'll write ahead.” Mom said, smiling. “Oh Marin you will love it, you'll get to wear a formal white dress, that kind of like a wedding dress! And your picture will be printed in the local newspaper too! Oh you'll feel like a star! And just before the Carnival of Time too!”
I felt my cheeks starting to flush a dark red color.
“Once you're done collecting the Cuccos eggs, come to my office. I should be finished counting up the hours you worked this week. You can collect your allowance and you can then spend the rest of the day as you please.” Mom then snapped her fingers again. “Oh! Also, I could use your help. It's been a while since I've gone into town to make a milk delivery, we'll do that tonight. We'll leave the ranch around six o' clock this evening”
I nodded my head.
“Anyway Marin, you go ahead and go collect those Cuccos eggs.” And with that mom left me to go collect the eggs.
Collecting Cuccos eggs is one chore I don't really mind, the first step is to scatter some feed in the yard, the Cuccos smell the feed and come out of the coop, sometimes it the whole flock of them other times they come out one at a time. Cuccos are simple minded creatures, once they see one of their own pecking and scratching at the ground the rest just follow. Once you get them pecking and scratching at the ground you can easily sneak into the coop and collect the eggs. Simple as one, two, and three!
The only problem was mom maintained a very large flock of Cuccos! Which was good, because we were never short on eggs. Mom firmly believed in using just what we needed and selling the rest to the Stock Pot Inn. Or the other restaurants and cafes in Clock Town.
Once that chore was done I had a basket full of round oval eggs. The Cuccos did not seemed to mind me robbing their nest. I sometimes wondered how large the Cuccos brain was, I wanted to say it was around the size of a Deku nut. So not very big. I think the herd of pigs we kept where there had once been a race track had bigger brains than the semi flightless Cuccos.
Anyway, once all the eggs were collected I walked into the farmhouse and climbed the flight of wooden stairs that lead to the upstairs part of our modest farmhouse. Now the stairs lead to a narrow hallway. At the end of the hallway one would find the bathroom. Now there were four doors in this hallway, the first one on the left led to the small, square bedroom that belonged to my aunt. The first one on the right belonged to my mom. The second one on the left belonged to me, and the second one on the right was my aunt's office.
I stood in front o the door and took a deep breath. Steeling myself I knocked gently upon the door. I waited a few seconds and then I gently knocked again. A few seconds later I heard my mothers voice from the other side of the door.
“Come in..”
I swallowed hard and pushed upon the brass handle of the door and stepped into the office. As soon as I took a few steps in, I quickly pushed the door closed behind me. My eyes quickly settled on mom who was sitting behind an old wooden desk, the top of the desk was littered with papers. And the smell of ink hung heavy in the air.
“So..” Mom said without even looking up from her pile of papers. “According to my math, you've put in around fifty something hours of work since you last collected your allowance three weeks ago. I was paying you three rupees per hour.. since then you've been promoted from three rupees an hour to four.. so that means I owe you close to two hundred rupees.” Mom said as she looked up from paper work.
I blinked, two hundred rupees was nothing to sneeze at.
“Yep, we'll call it two hundred.” Mom said as she reached down and pulled out a draw from her desk, she reached into the drawer and pulled out a small, brown box. In the center of the box their was a large iron lock. Mom placed the box in the center of her desk and then she reached into her skirt and pulled out a small silver key, she placed the keyhole and gave it a little turn.
Mom then reached in and pulled out a hand full of colorful jewels. Slowly she started to place the jewels down upon the table. The first one she put down was a bright red jewel. That was a red rupee that was worth twenty rupees. Slowly she counted out ten bright red rupees on her desk. Once they were counted out she closed the lid of the box, locked it, returned the key to her pocket and returned the box to her desk. She then motioned me to step forward.
“Here.” She said scooping up the jewels. “Please count this out for me.”
Slowly I counted the value of the jewels.
“Two hundred..” I said looking down at the shining collection of jewels I held within the palm of my hand.
“Good.” Mom said smiling. She paused. “Now, if you want to earn another twenty rupees, I want you to collect all the rupees you have lying around your room and when we go into Clocktown. I want you to deposit them into the bank. A good rule of life is you only keep on hand the minimum amount of rupees you need for day to day business. And you put the rest in the bank. You do that so your account in the bank can get the maximum amount of interest. You're about fifteen. It is a good idea to start saving now. Interest is compounded daily with the total paid out at the end of each season.”
“Wow..” I said.
“Your not going to grow rich just keeping your money stuffed into all the little corners of your room. You need to put your money in the bank. And there a number of reasons you need to do this, number one is if say a thief breaks into the house and steals all your money, well your out of luck. If a thief breaks into a bank, then they are required by common law to refund ever rupee that was taken. Your deposit in the bank is insured, that means it is covered up to a quarter million.” Mom said as she leaned back in her chair.
“The bank is insured by the 'Guild of Merchants' , a collection of all shopkeepers, innkeepers, smiths, and craftsmen who own a business in Clock Town, Mountain Village, and Fair Haven.” Mom paused. “In order to open a shop they must have a 'Permit of Trade' this is only issued by the 'Guild of Merchants' they must renew this permit every year at the Carnival of Time. They also must pay a membership fee each season. The money collected from these fees allows the bank to insure all deposits. The bank makes money by charging people to borrow money. Do you understand all this so far?”
“I think so..” I said in all honesty my head was starting to hurt.
“Good, now, I'd suggest you get a bath. I want to get an early start tonight.” Mom paused. “Also a nap might not hurt too.”
End of Chapter Two
The Carnival of Time
By
Rebecca Anna Coleman
A Legend of Zelda Fanfiction
I am not claiming ownership of the Legend of Zelda
The sun had finally set over the hills that surrounded the ranch. The cows had been brought in from pasture and were now locked safety in their barn. The moon was hidden behind a bank of dark storm clouds and one could feel rain in the wind that was blowing across the fields. Mom had a worried looked as she looked toward the direction of town. It was like she was doubting the wisdom of making a late night milk run.
“Hey Talon!” She cried out as she turned her head over her shoulder. “Finished loading the last of the milk yet?”
I took a deep breath as I hoisted the last of the heavy earthen jars into the back of the wagon. Lifting the heavy earthen jars that held the milk was my least favorite chore on the ranch.
“I thought my name was Marin?” I cried out as I walked around the small cart and climbed in next to mom.
Mom blinked and then she looked me into the eyes.
“Don't you sass me young lady.” She said, folding her arms across her chest. “You're still young enough for me to pull you across my lap and tan that bottom of yours.” She said in a threatening tone of voice. “And if my hand is not enough I can always fetch a hairbrush, and if you don't think the hairbrush is enough I can always stop and cut a switch.”
“What got you in a mood?” I said, sighing.
“Nothing got me in a mood, beside a young lady who forgot her manners.” Mom said as she cocked her head to the side.
I was just about to say something, something I'm sure would have made mom reach over and pull me over her lap and carry through with her threat when the sound of laughter filled the air. At that moment mom shut up and turned toward the source of the laughter. In the growing darkness we saw the outline of my aunt. Who was holding her ribs and laughing like a mad woman.
“Oh goodness! I walked in just in time! Oh goodness Cremia! That was so cute! I mean, you and mom used to carry on like that all the time! Oh my goodness! I see now that the apple didn't fall far from the tree!” My aunt said as she reached up and wiped a tear from her eye.
“Oh goodness! That was adorable, I mean mother like daughter and all that good stuff! Oh goodness this is too good! I can't wait for you two to go shopping for clothes together” A wicked twinkle could then be seen in my aunt's eyes. “Oh! How about when we go to Great Bay for our holiday. I bet my lovely niece is going to buy one of those shell-top swimsuits that are all the rage now!”
Mom blushed and I blushed too.
“Anyway,” Mom said shifting her blue eyes toward my Aunt.
“Are you sure your going to alright staying by yourself tonight Malon?” My mom said. “The whole Gorman Clan might decided to come up and cause trouble.”
My aunt waved her hand away and smiled.
“Sister, what the Gorman Brothers should be worried about is me. Remember I once kicked one of them so hard in the balls that he talked funny for a week. Now, you just go ahead and have a nice long mother-daughter talk and leave the ranch in my hands.”
“I sometimes wonder how you became a teacher.” My mom said with a wry smile.
“I passed the Civil Exam with flying colors.” My Aunt said. “Now go! You two are just sitting here burning time.”
And with that being said my mom gave a gentle flick of the reins and slowly the horse started to trot along. And with that we were off. A few moments later we were passing through the wooden gate that separates our private dirt road from the main dirt road.
“It been a few days since I've been in town.” Mom said, “I think it's been about seven or eight since I'd left the ranch, running the ranch has kept me busy. It's not been easy on us, not since your father vanished.”
I nodded my head. My father had vanished when I was just three or four years old. Mom rarely talked about him. And when she did I tended to listen to her.
“Your father was a strange one.” Mom said. “I'll never forget the first time I meet him. I'd just turned sixteen. And mom and I and I had gone into town to well buy supplies. Back then Mountain Village was nothing more than a hamlet. That before they discovered gold in the Snow Head mountains.”
“I've never been to the mountains..” I said wishfully.
“You've missed nothing. Us humans used to be forbidden from traveling deep into the Mountains. The Gorons, that to say a rock like race of people, had for a long time forbidden people from traveling too deep into Snow Head. But they have vanished, humans now dwell in their settlement. But after the Gorons vanished, the people too poor to live in Clock Town started to settle at the base of Snow Head. I think they first started to settle back when your grandmother was born.” Mom paused.
“I see..” I could tell mom was wrestling with something again.
“... you don't know any of this do you?” Mom said sweat dropping a little.
“No ma'am..” I answered truthfully.
“I guess History is something they don't really teach any more..” Mom said, sighing.
“Not really.” Again I answered truthfully.
“So..” Mom paused. “Still thinking about being a princess for the Carnival of Time?”
“... Yes..” I said, taking a deep breath. “Though I am having second thoughts,”
Mom remained silent her eyes focused on the road.
“I mean all of a sudden you started calling me 'Marin' and well it was a little much, not that I mind. I always felt kind of out of place being around boys and stuff. Like I did not really belong. Like okay, when I was little, all the boys in Clock Town would pretend to be soldiers or knights. And they would take turns beating the shit out of each other with wooden sticks they found on the ground. Or they would be divided into two teams, only they were not teams they were 'armies' and these two armies would then beat the shit out of each other...” I don't know were all those words came from, they just seemed to usher forth and spill out. It was like I vomited them out.
“Okay first lesson. Proper young ladies do not use words like 'Shit' I'm going to give you a pass this time, but next time I hear you say an ugly word like that, I promise you, you'll quickly learn what soap taste like. I'm not going to raise a foul mouth wrench.” Mom clutched the reins tight.
“Yes ma'am.” I said inching a little bit away from mom.
“Your aunt was a little hell-raiser when we were growing up. But she was a lot stronger than me” Mom added. “She use to give the boys a run for her money, she was also the first to lose her virginity when she turned sixteen. I know, because I walked in on her and her her boyfriend.. we shared a room at the time.. And now don't you be getting any ideas!”
I felt a sense of dread starting stir within me.
“What room was your room?” I asked.
“I think it was your room. Cause mom and dad had my room, and your aunt has what use to be the guest bedroom and office used to my dad's office.” Mom paused to think. “But don't worry, I think your sister burned those sheets, or maybe dad burned them.”
I closed my eyes and shivered a little. After that a silence fell over mom and I, full darkness had fallen now, the wind was starting to pick up. And soon we moved beyond the hills and into the flat rolling landscape of Termina field.
Termina Field is a large, open piece of land and at the center of it is the circled walled city of Clock Town. I've never liked traveling across Termina field, it was too open for me, the field was known to be the haunt of highwaymen who preyed on lonely travelers at night. It was also rumored to be infested with monsters that only came out when sun had set.
“I figured we should get a room for the night at the Stock Pot Inn.” Mom said finally after what must have been a hour or two of complete silence between us. “I really want to get that formal photo of you.”
“The bride one?” I asked
Mom paused and looked straight ahead. And after a painful fifteen minutes she spoke,
“Whatever one you want.” She said at last.
“I often wondered how it would be to a pretty dress. Like a brides dress.” I said finally.
From a yonder hill I could see the dying embers of a fire, surrounding the fire I could se the outline of a dozen or so shadows all seemed tobe laying around the fire. Save one lone figure who seeemed to be walking around the fire.
“Watch Hill.” My mom said. “I heard the Mayor.. Raura has started offering bonus to the young men in town to enlist in the cities guard. He's also started to station groups of twelve to thirteen men on the hills that surround the town. Kind of a early warning system. We just passed one, that means were only half a league away from Clock Town.”
I nodded.
“Also, remember the old saying 'Let your yes be yes, and your no be no'. So I'm going to ask again. Are you sure you want to go through with the whole girl then. I want to make sure this is something you really want to do. I don't want you to feel like I'm forcing anything on you.” Mom said.
“.. what does that old saying mean anways.” I said trying to buy myself a little more time.
“It means to to be truthful and honest in your commitments and statements, avoiding unnecessary oaths or promises that you not be able to keep. It emphasizes the importance of intergrity and living a life were your words align with your actions. In short it the kind of person I want my son or daughter to be.” Mom said in a matter of fact tone of voice.
“Can I get to pick out the dress?” I asked.
“No, sorry their only one style.. all girls wear the same kind of dress for this photo. Now, when you get married you can pick out your own dress then, but that some years away. You gotta twenty years of age before the Mayor will sign the Marriage Certificate.. otherwise well it messy.” Mom said.
“Okay..” I said. “I guess I'll say yes then..” I said sighing.
“What do you mean you 'guess' what did I just tell you?” Mom voice was almost at a scolding level.
“I was hoping I would get to pick out the dress.. like there would be more than one style to choose from. But I guess if I get only one style to choose from then I'll have to say yes.” I said sighing.
“...” Mom went silent and then for the first time that night she started to laugh. Her peals of laugher echoed across the field and caused several of the nightwatchmen to pause in their lone patrols and peer in her general direction.
“Oh goodness! You are my daughter! I said the same thing to your grandmother when I was your age! Oh goodness! Oh goodness! Whatever have I gotten myselfinto!” Mom was now holding onto her ribs. As she rocked from one side to the other.
I folded my arms across my chest. And stuck my nose high into the night air.
“And just what does that suppose to mean, mother!” I said as I cocke my head toward my mother who was now finally gaining control over herself.
“It means that I'm going to have fun! And it's going to be highly amusing watching you come into your own. Because if what I've seen so far tonight is anything to go by, your going to be just like me when I was your age. And that means that your grandmother is rolling in her grave laughing her head off right now, cause she always told me, that if I ever have a daughter she hopes like heavens she'll turn out like me.”
End of Chapter Three
The Carnival of Time
by
Rebecca Anna Coleman
A Legend of Zelda Fanfiction
I am not claiming ownership of the Legend of Zelda
I felt my cheek bones starting to bloom with color as I peered toward the powdered blue dress that had been laid out upon the bed. Laying beside the dress was a pair of wrap up brown leather sandals. A long cord of matching powdered blue ribbon could also be found laying on top of the dress and finally the finishing touches of the whole outfit a rose colored slash could be seen laying on top of the dress. It was all too much.
“Something wrong, Marin?” Mom said as she slowly sipped her morning cup of coffee from a blue and white china cup. I think the pattern was called 'Blue Willow' or something. Mom herself was wrapped tightly up in a borrowed red housecoat, and her long, flaming red hair had been pulled back and tied off in a low ponytail. The ponytail had been braided, which I found odd because I'd never known mom to braid her hair again, then again I've never ever shared a room with my mother. Well not till last night.
“I'm just a little confused, that's all.” I said blushing a little, “Mother, how did you come by these clothes? If I might be so bold?” I said gazing toward the bundle of clothes that set upon the bed just mom. They had not been there more than a half an hour ago when I'd gone to get my morning bath.
“While you were getting your morning bath. I had a little talk with Fado, the innkeeper's daughter. She is the petite blonde haired woman who checked us into the inn last night. I used to babysit her when she was a little girl and her mother and father used to visit us at the ranch when you were just a little baby. Anyway, I casually mentioned to her that my daughter was just starting to come out of her tomboy phase and she was going to get her formal 'Coming of Age' picture taken later this afternoon.” Mom said in a casual manner as if she was just brushing off a buzzing fly.
“Okay.” I said, rubbing my face. I was hoping I could rub the blush away. But I doubt I was having any luck.
“While we were catching up, I casually mentioned that my daughter had brought only one set of clothes with her.” Mom pointed toward the clothes I'd worn the day before. “And those were her work clothes. And Fado agrees with me, that while an oversized cotton work shirt, a pair of short cotton trousers, an old leather belt with a big brass buckle, and old leather shoes might be perfect for a day of working in the fields. Or working with cows at the ranch or fishing trip. They are hardly fashionable.
I nodded my head.
“Fado also mentioned no self respecting teenage girl would dare show her face in the marketplace dressed like that. That even the working women of Clock Town, make a point to at least wear at least a skirt and a blouse around town for their day to day business. And a nice dress on high holidays. Even the peasant women of Mountain Village, Mountain Camp make a point of dressing in their best.”
“Okay, but mom how can we afford all of this?” I said once more, this time I thrusted my arms into the air to highlight my frustration.
It was then that I saw a playful little smirk appear across mom's face, slowly she eased her china coffee cup down upon the bedside table and then she turned her full attention toward.
“Well, besides the twelve thousand rupee payment I got last night for our milk, I kind of cooked a chance and decided to play the lottery. This was after you'd been put to bed, anyway, I figured a ten rupee ticket would neither make or break us, though I do confess I've been a little worried about money lately.” Mom then paused for dramatic effect.
“And well, they posted the winning numbers this morning, not more than a few hours ago.” Mom was now grinning from one ear to the other.
“And..” I said leaning in.
“And,” Mom said smiling, “Blessing fall out of the dress pocket of the Goddess of Time.”
“What?!” I said I was confused.
“That ten rupee lottery ticket turned out to be the best thing I could have spent my pocket change on. It must have really been a lucky ticket. Because I'd won the grand prize of two thousand rupees. Two hundred of that went straight to the tax office of course. But still eighteen hundred rupees is a pretty good payday. It's nothing to sneeze at.”
At that moment I had to take hold of myself or I might have fallen out of the bed I was sitting cross legged on. . Well I really did fall off the bed.
“Really Marin,” Said sighing, “there is no need to be that dramatic!”
“Mom! Eighteen hundred rupees a lot of money!” I said finally as I managed climb off the wooden floor of the inn and back onto the bed.
“It a small chunk of change.” Mom said casually, “About half what I pay in land taxes each year. Of course I don't trust myself carrying around all that money. And even with the extra guards and night watchman patrolling the streets of Clock Town. It's still a city, and like every city it has its fair share of pickpockets, purse snatchers and highwaymen. Thugs, thiefs, rapists, and muggers too.”
Mom paused. “Anyway, I asked an old friend of yours, you could call him an old boyfriend to escort me to the bank so I could make an early morning deposit. I dropped well over two thousand rupees into the bank. Mr. Banker you could say was quite happy with that little deposit.”
“I bed he was!” I exclaimed.
“Anyway, I knew Fado was an apprentice dress-maker, and even though she an apprentice she regarded as one of the finest dressmakers in town. She shows real promise too. She started her apprenticeship when she turned sixteen. Madam Din took her on shortly after she finished her leaving exams. Anyway, I asked if she had anything ready to wear.” Mom paused. “And since we're in a pinch I told her I'll tale any dress she had laying around that might fit you.”
“Anyway I knew Fado was an apprentice dress-maker, well she has been apprenticed since she was sixteen. She started apprenticeship shortly after she finished her exams. Anyway I asked if she had ready to wear.”
“Mom that not like you.. are you sure you're feeling well?”
“Yes I'm feeling fine, so go ahead and try the dress on. I paid a hundred and twenty rupees for the bloody thing.” Mom said, I could tell she was getting a tad bit annoyed, maybe all of my questions were finally getting to her. Mom paused and when she spoke again it seemed the annoyance had passed.
“I also asked Fado to come in and tidy up your hair this morning. When you were unloading the milk jugs last night. I couldn't help but notice a lot of split-ends in your hair. And since fado is also a trained hairdresser. She agreed to trim your hair and to style it for your photo.” That hint of annoyance was starting to sneak into my mothers tone of voice again.
“The little nix said she was going to cut me a deal since I'd brought the dress from her, she said she'll only charge me forty rupees to do your hair, that to trim all the dead ends and to style it in a fashionable style. Fado, I'm sure knows what is popular with teenagers. After all she is a teenager herself.”
Now, I only know a handful of things about my mother. And most of those were positive things, for example one of things I knew about her was the fact that was a very hard worker, she often toiled from sun up till sun down around the ranch. Two, she had wanted to get into banking and join the banking guild after she finished her leaving exam, but her fathers failing health had forced to her put her dreams on hold so she could help her mother run the ranch. It was only suppose to be for a season or two, instead it turned out to be her career.
Number three. She married my father as soon as she turned twenty one. According to her it was love at first sight. Nine months later I was born. I knew next to nothing about my father, only he was suppose to have been the keen shot with the bow, a master swordsman, and champion horseman. Mom had thought she found her knight in shining armor, only instead wearing plate armor, he wore a simple, green homespun tunic, with old chainmail overlaying the tunic, tan leather trousers, and dark brown boots. The only lasting gift I was given from him was my blue eyes and blonde hair.
His fate I knew not, for her left when I was only four years old. According to my mom, he came home one night from delivering milk in far away Mountain Village. His face was red and he was stuttering pretty hard, mom could only understand one word in ten. But through his muttering and bumbling speech he managed to get something. He said something about a dream, an evil king, and how he must return again to the fable land of Hyrule as Princess Zelda herself had appeared to him in a dream and foretold that the Bandit King was plotting a return to power. And even as she spoke his acolytes were mustering all their power to launch a renewed attack on the fair land of Hyrule.
Mom thought he was drunk, and told him so to his face. But he kept muttering about how he must return to the land of Hyrule and find the fabled Master Sword, the legendary blade will defeat this new threat and once this threat was finally defeated only then could he return to her. Mom called him a drunken fool and slapped him across the face. He left shortly after that, never to be heard from again.
Last nut not least, number four, mom hated to spend money and believed in saving every rupee that came her way. She was not green rupee wise and gold rupee foolish. She believed in writing down every sale she made, of how much she was paid for each jug of milk she brought to market. She also wrote down every rupee she spent. And as far as I know her personal ledger and her bank account always matched down the rupee. Last but not least, I knew she had a crush on one of the town's soldiers. And I was starting to wonder with me being half grown if those smothering embers of young love were now about to renew and become a bonfire of passion.
“Marine.” Mom said as she looked me dead in the eye.
“Mom, I'm just worried that you're going to spend too much money on me!” I said as I reached up, and like I always do when I'm nervous or feel like I'm about to get scolded. I slowly started to play with my ponytail. Slowly I started to twist some of the lose strands of my hair around the tips of my fingers.
“Marin.” Mom said, heaving a heavy sigh. “Drop it, don't think about money right now and just let me spoil you okay?”
“Mom..” I said giving her my best puppy dog look.
“Okay Marin, if you must know.” Mom seemed slightly annoyed that I'd not let the subject drop. “I don't want you to worry about this anymore so I'm going to come out and tell you, but it seems your father was well a very wealthy man, where his wealth came from I have no idea. But at the time of the little vanishing act, his personal account here was well over five thousand rupees. Something like five thousand four hundred. Now, I never knew this, because we always maintained separate accounts. I only found out how much money he had a few days after he left.. since I was married to him, by law the money went to me.”
I blinked.
“Now instead of putting all five thousand rupees into my personal account. I decided to put them in a high yield saving account. So for the ten years they've been sitting there.. growing, increasing in number. This morning. I decided to check the balance cause it's been a while since I checked it and well.. the balance was around a quarter million rupees.” Mom said, shrugging her shoulders. “Seems somebody has been making a deposit of a thousand rupees a year since you were four. The dates are always one year apart, give or take a day or two. Normally a day or two after the Carnival of Time.”
I felt my eyes go wide as saucers.
“So yes, you're worth a quarter million rupees sweet-heart. On your fifteenth birthday all of that money will be yours. I was going to wait till your sixteenth birthday, but then I remembered in the eyes of the eyes of the law you would be considered an adult. And depending on how far you want to take this Marin act, you'll either be forced to sign up for a year of service in the guard. Or maybe a a year of service in the nursing corps. You'll also be forced to pay taxes..”
“....” I was lost.
“It's simple really, but handing over the quarter million rupees to you on your fifteenth birthday, I save you from paying taxes on all that. And if you're still Marin, you can avoid being drafted into the guard and go into say nursing or something else. Now we don't live in a township, so you can kind of avoid being drafted.. Only towns with a mayor have the right to conscript. Also only those who have done a year of service have the right to vote. Though you do need to have a certain income level to vote anyways.” Mom said as she sipped her coffee.
“...” I was still lost.
“Only two townships have the right to conscript. Clock Town and Mountain Village. Fairhaven is a port so there are mainly patrol ships. The patrol ships can call them that are mostly just small fishing boats that have been outfitted with a few cannons. They mostly used to keep the trade routes open between Fairheaven and the colonies of Windfall and Outset Island secure..” Mom said with a shrug.
“Colonies?” I said again. I was starting to understand how little I knew of the world outside the ranch.
“Yep, people too poor to settle in Fairhaven started to explore the coast. This was in your great-great-grandmothers time. Shortly after the Banking Guild, that is the guild that controls all the banks. Funded a war against the Goron people.” Mom paused. “No, it was not a war, more like genocide..”
“Wow..” I said.
“Yep, the Goron Homeland, the Snow Head Mountains were just filled with gold, and the Gorons refused to allow the Banking Guild to buy the land so they could mine for gold. So instead they raised their own private arm and marched into Snow Head and this private arm killed every Goron around. At the time there was a general depression.. and the Banking Guild was paying any man who was sixteen years of age but not older than fifty three hundred rupees a sign-on bonus if they enlisted for the whole conflict. And three hundred rupees a month after that.”
I swallowed hard.
“Greed.” Mom said, shrugging her shoulders. “Make people do wicked stuff. Anyway that's enough history for today. I need you to get changed. Fago should be her shortly to do your hair.”
End Chapter four.
The Carnival of Time
By
Rebecca Anna Coleman
A Legend of Zelda Fanfiction
I am not claiming ownership of the Legend of Zelda
I could not believe the reflection that greeted me in the mirror. The smooth glass surface reflected the image of a young woman, one with golden blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes. This young woman wore a powder blue dress that had a rose colored silken sash tied around the waist. And on her dainty feet were leather sandals that had thin strips of leather wrapping around her ankles.
“Goddess of Time.” My mom said as she peered toward me. “Dear Goddess of Time!”
“I don't look like me..” I said blushing as I turned around.
“No..” Mom said at last. “Dear Goddess of Time..”
I was just about to say something when a sudden knock came upon wooden door. Mom turned around and so did I. A few moments later the old brass handle started to turn and in the doorway appeared a young woman with shortish blonde hair. Her deep blue eyes seemed to twinkle with teenage mischief. And her well tailored pink dress seemed to hug every curve of her body. Over her pink dress she wore a brown leather apron. The apron had two deep pockets sewn into the front.
Pocking out of the pocket I could see the brass handle to a pair of shears, and the wooden handle of a brush. The woman smiled at me and then at mom.
“Oh good you changed.” She said, looking at me. “Hmm that dress looks good on you. Your mom really rolled the dice on that one. I'm glad to see the Goddess of Luck decided to smile on her. Normally, I take several measurements before starting on a dress. Looks a little short on you.” The woman said as she started to walk around. I blushed, the woman's piercing gaze seemed to judge me. “A little short. But given the warm weather we're having tha could be a plus, that is a warm weather dress.”
Mom and I paused.
“But you have nice legs, and all that farm work has really given you a nice, natural tan.” The woman said. She then smiled and turned toward mom.
“You gotta be careful.” The woman said. “City boys find country girls alluring. It seems like they can't keep their hands off them.” A playful smile crossed her face. “And a fetching girl right here will turn a lot of heads.”
Mom seemed a little unease at this.
“Fago.” She said finally as she peered toward the blonde haired woman. “I'm aware that my daughter is quite fetching and is starting to bloom from bud to flower. But I trust her to know how to handle herself around boys, and I trust you to give her a proper haircut, one befitting a young woman.”
Fago smiled a little.
“Oh! Miss. Cremia you have nothing to worry about. I promise I'll treat Miss. Marin is like my own little sister.” Fago said with a sweet smile. She then turned toward me.
“Anyway, since your dressed to impress Marin, I think you should come down to my room. I have a extra large vanity in my room with a really comfortable stool for you to sit on. Plus you and I need to have a little talk.” Fago paused, “Miss. Cremia, my mom would like to talk to you over breakfast.”
Mom was about to protest but she then looked into Fago eyes and she closed her lip.
“Okay.. But don't take too long,” With that mom left me along with Fago.
The walk from the room I shared with mom to Fago's room passed in complete silence. It seemed Fago and her mom and dad along with her older grandmother lived on the lower floor of the inn. Fago's room was the one that was located right beside the kitchen and right across from the bathroom. Her mother's room and fathers room was located right next to her right across from the common room. And her grandmother's room was the room right beside their room. It was the room beside the stairwell that lead to the upper floor.
Once we reached Fago's room she ushered me in and locked the door. Once she locked the door she leaned against the door and peered directly into my eyes.
“Okay.. Spill the beans.” Fago said as she folded her arms under her breast.
I blinked.
“I said spill the beans. I know Miss. Cremai does not have a daughter, in fact I know for a fact that she has only one child, a son named Talon. “ She looked me dead in the eyes.
I went silent.
“You can't pull the wool over my eyes. I remember your mothers wedding. I was a flower girl at your mothers wedding. My mother was her Maid of Honor at her wedding. And my father stood in for your dad as his Best Man.” Fago paused. “My grandmother was also your mothers midwife and I was there the the night she gave birth to you. In fact, my grandmother wanted me to see your mom give birth to you. Something about a life lesson she said all girls should see.. So I know Cremai gave birth to a healthy, though a tad bit weight baby boy whom she named Talon after her late father.”
I went silent again.
Fago seemed to growing a bit annoyed with my silence.
“Okay either you start talking now, or I'm going to give you a pixie haircut.” Fago's voice was a half joking, half serious tone of voice. The kind of voice mom used whenever she would threaten to pull me across her lap.
“Okay..” I said, taking a deep breath. “Where do I start?” It was not a question that I expected an answer but Fago decided to answer my question anyway.
“I guess the most logical point to start your story is to start at the beginning.” She said, fixing me with a gaze.
I nodded my head. That made perfect sense.
“Okay, one evening a few days ago. My mom, my aunt, and I were gathering around the kitchen table for dinner. And then my aunt started talking about the upcoming Carnival of Time.” I paused as I eased down upon Fago bed.
“Go on.” Fago said as she peered toward me.
“Anyway, my aunt, she is a school teacher here in Clock Town.” I was very much aware that my thoughts were scattered now. Not that Fago seemed to mind, she seemed to have all the time in the world on her hands.
“I know, your aunt prepared me for my Civil Exam. She is a bit of a bitch. But she makes sure you understand her lessons. I mean as a teacher she a bitch. Okay maybe not a bitch, but she is strict, strict but fair. Anyway, go on.” Fago seemed eager to see were all this was going.
“Okay, so my aunt asked me what I wanted for the Carnival of Time. I said I did not know, she suggested a princess and I agreed.” I said blushing a little. “And well one thing led to another, like for example my aunt started teasing me about being a princess for the Carnival of Time! And I agreed.” I muttered under my breath.
Fago nodded her head.
“Okay Fago shook her head. “Being a princess for the Carnival of Time, I can understand. Boys often dress as girls for the Carnival and girls often dress as boys. But what I still don;t understand is why Miss. Creamia is going telling my mom, my dad, and I that her son we all know as a boy named Talon is a girl named Marin?” Fago then leveled her gaze at me. “Enlighten me please?”
“So.. yesterday. Mom asked me to gather eggs. And well she called me Marin.. and one thing led to another, and things kind of snowballed. And I guess I started to like to called Marin. And well, I never felt like Marin until I put on the dress..” Again I was aware I was stumbling over my own words. But like last time Fago did not seem to mind
“Goddess of Time..” Fago said, “Does your mom ever think things through? It would have been simple to let you put on a dress for the Carnival of Time and act like a princess. But giving you a girlish haircut, and getting your formal picture taken in the traditional wedding gown.. Goddess! Goddess! Goddess!” Fago was now rubbing the bridge of her nose.
I titled my head to the side.
“From a boy with hay behind his ears, I don't expect much.” Fago said. “From a girl with hay in her hair, I don't expect much more. But from an adult I would expect a lot more. Tell me, Marin, do you know anything about being a girl?” Fago asked.
“I know they get to wear pretty dresses?” I said, smiling a little.
Fago then looked like somebody struck her with a heavy iron skillet. She then sighed and turned her head toward the heavens and then sighing heavily she closed her eyes and muttered.
“Goddess of Time! Please Help me! I gotta give this country girl an education she'll never forget! She has hay in her hair and her mom has her head full of wool. Goddess of Time, Goddess of Harvest. Help me! Please, this girl still needs to be tied firmly to her mothers apron strings! Goddess of Divine Aid. Look down and take piety on this moon struck girl. Cause she needs it right now.”
I crossed my arms and gave Fago a pout.
“What's all that about?” I said as I peered toward her.
“Trying to rustle up some divine aid. You're going to need it. Now, we need to get your haircut and I need to style it.. we don't have much time. And I also need to tell you some things most moms will tell their daughters when they're around your age. But given how much wool your mom has stuffed between her ears. I doubt she'll even think to give you this talk!”
End of Chapter five.
The Carnival of Time
by
Rebecca Anna Coleman
A Legend of Zelda Fanfiction
I am not claiming ownership of the Legend of Zelda
“Well come on already! We don't have a moment to lose!” Fago said as she patted the cushioned stool with her danity hand. “We've already wasted enough time already!”
I nodded my head and slowly I started to walk over to the wooden stool. I took a deep breath and eased my bottom down upon the cushioned stool. Fago shook her head first to the left and then to the right and then in a clearly annoyed tone of voice she said to me.
“Okay! Stand back up!” She said as she placed her hand upon her forehead. “Because if your going to wear a dress, you need to learn how to act while your wearing a dress. If you just act like a boy who's just put on a dress for the first time in his life. Then everybody in bloody Clock Town will know that something is up. And then we'll find you floating face down in the dirty water in the laundry pool by midmorning. Your face as pale as a sheet. And stiff as a board.”
My eyes went as wide as serving plates. And I quickly stood right up.
“Now, fold your dress under your bottom and hold it in place with both of your hands. Then ease your bottom down and bring your hands into your lap, once they're in your lap fold them. The reason for this is two fold, one you want people to think you a girl, and by your age girls have mastered the art of standing up, sitting down, and moving around in dresses. Because their mothers have corrected them enough times they do second nature. And two, when you're prancing around Clock Town, you want other women to think your a woman. Trust me, women can pick up on little things. And women love to gossip just as much as men, And if a woman acts strange, the women of Clock Town are quick to pick up on that.”
“Goddess.” I muttered under my breath.
“You better pray to the Goddess, because your way over your head. Now, do it again, just as I told you.” Fago said as she placed her balled up first upon her hips.
I did as I was told. And for a brief fleeting moment I thought Fago was happy. Because she peered at me for a long moment her eyes traveling up and down my beanpole thin frame. Her eyes seemed to rest on my legs. She then raised an eyebrow. She then shook her head from left to right and then she walked away, puzzled. I sat there and titled my head to one side and then I titled it to the other. Moments later she returned holding a long, slender, pointer with a lead tip.
And then without giving me a warning she cracked the pointer across my legs.
“Ouch! What was that for!”
“Young ladies sit with their legs together!” Fago Shouted. “If you sit down at the soda bare or the local cafe with your legs spread open like that, people will think something up! The girls, will be the first to notice and start to whisper and the boys would think you're looking to get picked up. Trust me, I know plenty of girls your age who are more than happy to sell themselves for a handfull of green rupees. Sex is cheap here if you know where to look. And you can always spot those kind of girls by the way they present themselves. Low bodice dresses with their breast about to pop out. Sitting with their legs wide open at the soda fountain counter top. Wearing enough make-up to put a gleeman to shame and wearing enough perfume to make you gag.” Fago scolded.
“You did not have to strike me!” I countered.
“A little little pain often goes a long way in making the lesson stick.” Fago countered.
I muttered something under my breath and a moment later I felt the sharp strike of the wooden pointer again. I hissed and quickly brought my legs together.
“Now you're learning Lassie.” She said smiling as she walked around me. “Back straight now, posture is very important to a young lady. Belly tight, chest out. Walk in measured strides. These are things most mothers drill into their daughters from a very young age. So when their your age, it's almost second nature to them.” Fago said as she struck the wooden floor with the wooden pointer.
“I thought I was here to get a haircut.” I mutter under my breath.
“And so you are. And you will as soon as you correct your pasture.” Fago said. “Also if you mutter under your breath again I will give you another taste of the pointer. That is another lesson you need to learn, that young ladies do not mutter under their breath. If they have something to say, they say it loud enough for everybody to hear.”
I tried to correct myself. And it seemed my efforts won the approval of Fago who just nodded her head and smiled as she peered toward me. She then turned away and walked toward the corner of the room/ She returned a few moments later with what appeared to a old bedsheet. She quickly drapped the sheet around me and fastened it tightly around my neck.
“Now, we don't have time for anything really fancy,so I'm just going to go ahead and trim the dead-ends, remove the split-ends, and give it a nice shape. Thankfully it's fashionable for girls to get their pictures taken with their hair down. It's also fashionable for the girls to wear a viel and white gloves. Now, just in case nobody has told you, things have changed since the time our moms got their photos taken. Back then, back in the stone age, you could only wear one type of dress. That was the traditional bridal dress, you know floor length, short puffy sleeved, white gloves, and white vail. Well times have changed, and now you have the freedom to choose.” Fago said as she reached down and picked up a wooden boar bristle hair comb.
“What the oher dress?” I said and ten I felt my eyes go even wider as Fago started to brush y hair. I felt myself almost starting to melt as she ran the bristles through my hair. It felt amazing!
“The second dress is more of a new, and what I'll consider a more fashionable dress. It strapless, and no you don't need breast for it. My friend Hlyia, who works there part time amazing at lacing girls up and knows all kind of neat little tricks to give a girl a good boost. That dress is also floor length, and also comes with a white veil, the only difference is the gloves, the gloves are what we call opera length. Meaning they come up to right below your elbows. With your color hair, I'll lean more toward the new strapless style dress. And for the flower's you'll be holding I'll have to go with white lilies.” Fago said as she eased the brush down.
“Hylia and I went to prime school together. We're pretty much best friends, she is a really sweet girl. And I promise she'll look after you. And trust me, if you're going to live the rest of your life as 'Marin' you are going to need friends to look after you.” Fago Said sighing, “Now, hold still. I don't want to cut more hair than I need to!”
Several heartbeats passed, those heartbeats became moments of peaceful silence followed, and the only sound that could be heard was the snipping of the metal sears. I felt my jump right into my throat as I watched my treasured, pretty blonde strands of hair fall down upon the wooden floorboards of the Fago room. Fago though seemed to be in a world of her own.
“Oh Goddess.” She said at last. “How long has it been since you'd last had a proper haircut?” She said setting it up. “Because your hair really needs to be thinned out! And how often do you really brush your hair. And no, I don't mean just washing it and running a brush through it a dozen times and tying it back. I mean a proper brushing, at least one hundred strokes.
I blushed a little.
“Answer me, or I swear going to leave that chair with a pixie cut”
“I brush my hair out about once a week!
“Answer me, or I swear your going to leave that chair with a pixie cut!”
“I brush my hair out about once a week! Sometimes twice a week!” I said blushing.
“... Okay before you leave for that ranch you call a home. You and I need to sit down and have a long talk about hair care. Because there's more to having long hair than just washing it every time the mood takes you. You also have to wash it, brush it, and learn what styles are popular.” Fago said as she resumed clipping.
I went silent.
:I;m not trying to be mean about this,I'm just trying to point out some things.” Fago then paused, “I will say though,for a boy you have some really pretty hair. Almost too pretty, I know some girls who will sell their soul to have the shade of blonde you have. It truly is the shade of blonde hair that belongs for princess.”
“Mom often say the Goddess of Time must have played a mean trick on. She said I was supposed to have been born a girl. But at the last moment she believed I'd been switched by the Trickster.” I said blushing a little. That statement caused Fago to ease down the clippers.
“That is an old fool's tale. Every mother believes that when a baby comes out a different sex than what she had hoped for, the soul of the child had been switched by the 'Evil Tricksters' Majora.” Fago said.
I paused.
“Oh right I'm not supposed to mutter that name this close to the Carnival of Time am I? It's supposed to bring bad luck or something?”
“I heard there is a group of people in the world, even some here in Clock Town that worship Majora, instead of worshipping the Three Goddess and the four guardian giants.” I said.
“Fago said nothing for a few moments instead she focused on her work. After a few moments she eased the clippers down and sighed as she started to brush a few stray hairs away from the cape I was wearing. Her carefree face seemed tense.
“Listen to me Main.” She said, taking a deep breath, “Don't go around naming that name, their people like you said in Clock Town who worship Majora, instead of the three golden goddesses and the four guardian giants.” Fago sighed. “Not only in Clock Town but all across the world. Those people have evil in their hearts. The Spirit of Majora is supposed to feed on the malice that dwells in these people's hearts. It uses that malice to empower them. To channel their frustrations, their troubles into raw power.”
I swallowed hard.
“They're really active around The Carnival of Time.” Fago smiled a little as she removed the cape from me.
“Okay you're done. And before you go, you and I need to have a small little talk. Trust me, its going to be brief.” Fago smiling. “A sister to sister talk.” She added quickly.
End of Chapter 6