#constrained-deity

Termina again, it seems; why is it that the Phantom keeps being drawn back to this familiar and yet so unfamiliar place?

This time it was Anselin who extended the invitation. The deity, who had recently been injured had required some time to “unwind,” but did not wish to do so without company. Though surprised by the invitation, the Phantom did accept; vaguely remembering the name of the Milk Bar he had once ventured to with both Fierce and Dark Link quite some time ago.

He had met Anselin at the gates to the Great Bay after having been given instruction as to where to find the area. The deity had be silent, his face betraying no emotion and giving brief, blunt responses to the fallen hero once addressed. Silence was a companion on their way to Clock Town as well, and Link couldn't help but glance over at lunar god every so often, noting the bandages which had now replaced the armor which he usually wore. He wished to address the nature of Anselin's wounds out of mere curiosity, but decides against it. The deity's mind seemed preoccupied as it was and he did not wish to agitate him without intention.

Anselin had to duck down upon reaching the Bar, his massive form almost filling in the door in its entirety. The Phantom follows after him soon after, ears twitching at the buzz of music and conversation within confined walls. Again, the Terminan residents – though many bearing in resemblance to those of Hyrule – did not seem to take note of the pair, nor mind their presence as they entered. The dead hero's chest seemed to tighten. This was still an unusual reaction to him, one which he still found being unable to make heads or tales of.

Without hesitation, Anselin trudges his way over toward the barkeep, practically towering above everything else. The man behind the counter, greatly resembling Talon and polishing out a mug glance between the two of them once Link catches up beside the deity almost expectantly.

“What will it be?”

Anselin leans against the bar, lifting a hand to indicate an amount with his fingers as he carefully seats himself on the stool which creaks heavily under his weight.

“Two please...”

The Terminan Talon nods, slipping off elsewhere to retrieve their drinks as Link seats himself. He shifts uncomfortably. He remembered the last time he had a drink here. It had made him act strangely and not feel too well afterwards; something which was a rarity in his current form. He pondered the idea of perhaps telling Anselin he wasn't too fond of trying another bout of Chateau Romani for that very reason, but remains silent until their drinks are presented to them, only then sharing his concerns for the beverage.

The lunar deity merely stares at the Phantom a moment, studying him with a blank expression. For a moment, Link wonders if he had offended him, but the god soon gives him a hefty shrug, turning back to his own drink and downing it rather rapidly before – and much to Link's surprise – moving onto the glass which was intended for him.

Awkward silence pervaded over them for a time, Link seemingly more focused on his hands and trying not to be rude. Anselin, though a courteous person, was always rather difficult for him to read. His ears raise when he hears the host on stage announce the next act which would be performing. The Indigo-Go's they were called supposedly, and turning curiously to take a glance at the performers, he is somewhat taken aback by the striking resemblance of their lead singer – a Zora named Lulu – to that of his familiar princess Ruto.

He watches them a while and listens, trying to wrap his head around things. Termina was indeed such an odd place. His thoughts become interrupted soon after when he suddenly feels something with a significant amount of weight pressing against him. It seemed that Anselin had slumped over on his stool in a lopsided fashion and was now leaning against the Phantom.

Asking if he was okay, Anselin suddenly perks up as though he were just awoken by Link's words and straightens himself again, mumbling incoherently which trailed off into the word “fine.” It was then that Link was able to see the third empty glass on the counter in front of the deity, and a fourth still clutched in his hand, which was obscured by his shoulder earlier from the Phantom's point of view.

Anselin sighs and slumps over the counter once more and takes a large swig. Silence again, and just when Link was ready to break that silence, the god suddenly speaks again.

“It's not fair,” he grumbles, almost having difficulty enunciating his words by the sounds of things, “I've been given so much, but it's all pointless now because they've taken just about everything away!” The Phantom frowns slightly, deciding to keep silent and to listen further. He wasn't sure what the deity was going on about. He sees Anselin shake his head.

“And why is it that they've chosen to interfere?” He continues, slamming a closed fist onto the counter, “This isn't their domain. They don't even care about this place, so why interfere as such?” The deity sways a bit as he turns around to face the fallen hero, his face and ears tinged red from his now apparent drunkenness to the Phantom. His ears lower a bit.

“But you won't know about all that yet, would you?” Anselin says to him almost sombrely, “You haven't made it that far in your quest...a pity too. I thought they'd show you a little more favour at least.” The god pauses and looks to Link as though expecting an answer. After a moment, the Phantom responds with an uncomfortably-polite smile and a small nod, not really sure how else to address his statement. The deity's form sways again and Link suddenly finds a large hand slapped down on his shoulder as Anselin leans in close to him with a drunken grin.

“I like you,” he says, gently prodding him with the mug in his other hand, “You...You are a swell hero given your situation, and...” he trails off suddenly, the grin on his face fading significantly. Then, without warning Anselin closes the gap between the both of them, locking his lips with the Phantoms own.

Link tenses in surprise, attempting to pull back once he finally registers what it was that was going on; but Anselin's grip on him was firm, and he was able to hold the smaller figure in place until he saw fit. Finally ending the embrace, the deity promptly pulls away from the Phantom before violently plunking his front half on top of the counter before him.

The dead hero blinks, at a loss for what had just transpired and studies Anselin carefully a moment. It seemed that the lunar god had passed out. Soon after, his ears twitch, noting movement nearby, and he turns his baffled expression to see the barkeep, cleaning out a glass and eyeing them expectantly.