Snippet for Destiny's Call: Ch. 72
Which... should be posted sometime today.
The Ventest Clothing Boutique was up next, since it was closest, and Link found Sophie and Clavia both talking inside- seeming to be discussing something in the backroom. Following the voices, he peered in through the cracked door and saw them standing around a mannequin with an unfamiliar set of clothing on it.Â
“Shouldn’t it have shoulder pauldrons?” Clavia asked, frowning. “The leather vest will protect the torso, but if Ilia gets into as much trouble as she says she does she’ll need the extra protection.”Â
“I-I’m still trying to figure out the best way to make it look.” Sophie stammered, hunched over with a sketchbook in her hands. “The armor has to m-match the overall… fashion, y-you know? My older sister would never forgive me if I just threw armor haphazardly on a set that’s meant to bring out someone’s b-best features…”Â
“Your sister isn’t even here.” The mayor’s wife huffed. “Isn’t Cece off studying fashion in another kingdom?”Â
“More like s-studying that kingdom’s fashion…”Â
Link focused his attention on the outfit itself. It was still only half-finished, but he could tell right away from the various shades of blue that it was designed with the intention of being given to someone specific. Even if Clavia hadn’t said the name aloud, Link would have guessed Ilia.Â
Everyone here in Hateno Village cared about her greatly, and she did seem particularly close to Clavia and Sophie. Plus, Ilia is always wearing blue. It’s her signature color. Â
“Gah!” Suddenly, Sophie let out a small shriek, and Link snapped his head up in alarm only to freeze in place- realizing both women were staring directly at him. He had been caught. Sophie hunched over even further, hiding her face behind her sketchbook. “Wh-What are you doing there!? G-Get out!”Â
“Wait, wait, hold on!” Clavia stepped forward, recognizing him. “You’re Link, right? Ilia’s friend? The one she travels with?”Â
“...Huh?” Sophie blinked, slowly peering over the top of her sketchbook. In her panic, she hadn’t recognized him. “O-Oh! I remember you! Y-You came here with Ilia, and you bought yourself that dress…”Â
“We could use a third opinion.” Clavia beckoned for Link to enter the backroom, which he did, and the older woman rested a hand on his shoulder as they stood in front of the mannequin. “What do you think of this? Sophie noticed Ilia hasn’t been wearing her leather armor in any of her recent visits, and with everything you guys said you gone through… we figured it got destroyed. But since you’re planning on going to Hebra soon- assumedly, if you kids really are the ones taking care of the Divine Beasts…”Â
“I-It’s dangerous to wear metal up there!” Sophie exclaimed, panic dancing in her brown eyes. “You c-could get frostbite! So… I thought I’d make her a new set of armor, and then Clavia found out and wanted to help… a-and now we’re struggling to figure out what to do about the shoulder pauldrons…”Â
Link hummed thoughtfully, eying the outfit, before glancing at the sketchbook Sophie was still clinging onto. He pointed at it.Â
Sophie blinked, looked down, gasped, then awkwardly held it out to him. “R-Right! I have some ideas sketched down, but, um… I-I’m not sure which one to go with…”Â
Link’s eyebrows raised at the sheer amount she had sketched. There were also different variations of the outfit itself- some with little check marks beside them and others with little question marks. Notes, with arrows pointing to specific pieces of clothing. It was obvious Sophie was really passionate about her work.Â
“Hmm…” A lot of the pauldrons didn’t seem to fit Ilia, but there was one Link did really think suited her. It was simple, but elegant- and it could match the vest really well.Â
Turning the sketchbook around, he pointed at the version he decided on.Â
Sophie’s eyes went wide and Clavia gasped. The two women looked at each other.Â
A silent conversation passing between them, they nodded, and Sophie turned back to Link with a fierce determination now brewing in her eyes. Reaching out, she took the sketchbook back from him. “Alright! That’s what I’ll do. It should be easy enough to connect to the vest straps…”Â
She began to mutter to herself, circling the design and then flipping to a new page to sketch her thoughts. Clavia smiled at the younger lady, before turning her attention to Link. “Thank you. You’ve been a big help. Here-”Â
Clavia reached into her pocket and pulled out a red Rupee. Link’s eyes sparkled as he accepted it and tucked it into his Sheikah Slate.Â
“But… something tells me you aren’t just here to help Sophie with her fashion troubles.” The woman joked. “What can we do for you?”Â
Smiling a little, finding he was rather fond of these two as well, Link quickly explained the situation to them- Clavia having to snap Sophie out of her focus so she would pay attention. Their eyes widened at the news of Ilia getting officially engaged, and the women only grew more surprised when Link informed them that Ilia was actually inviting them to the ceremony. Sophie looked like she might faint when he mentioned that the Zora king gave his express approval for them to be there.Â
“I’ll have to talk to my husband about it,” Clavia sighed, resting a hand on her hip, “but I’d like to go if I can. I’m not entirely sure how I’d get there, though…”Â
“I’ll take care of it.”Â
Clavia blinked. “Wait, really?”Â
Link nodded. “Don’t worry about it.”Â
“W-Well, if you’re sure…”Â
“C-Can I bring Karson with me?” Sophie finally managed to choke out. She looked terrified at the idea of going to another region alone. “H-He’s… my b-boyfriend…”Â
Link stared for a moment, which caused the brunette to shuffle her feet. After what felt like an eternity, as he had been processing that information about Karson and Sophie being together, Link shrugged. “Should be fine.”Â
“Oh, thank goodness…” Sophie let out a breath of relief. “If Clavia can’t go, I really don’t wanna go alone.”Â
“I’ll go ask my husband about it later today,” Clavia smiled, “so come back and get us if we’re able to go, okay?”Â
Link beamed, nodding and giving them a thumbs up. “I’ll pick you up on the day of!”Â
“O-Oh, wait, one more thing!” Sophie raising her voice surprised everyone, and Link stared at her curiously. The brunette fiddled with her sketchbook. “I’m, uh… actually working on repairing some armor that was left behind from the Great Calamity… I’m almost done with the greaves. If you come back in a few days, they should be ready!”Â
“Well, I mean, I guess when you come to get us… ah, I’m going to have my hands full, aren’t I?” The young woman let out a sigh, shaking her head. “Between Ilia’s armor and the soldier’s greaves… well, I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t enjoy it.”Â
“That’s the spirit, sweetheart.” Clavia said, patting her on the shoulder. “I’m here if you need any help.”
