#thelva

In all of Ace’s six “long” years he had only seen the elders and kids hunkered down like they were now, once or twice before; but, he had never seen a thunder storm. The loud crashes, muted through the thick stone walls sparked more curiosity than fear in all the children, Ace included, but they were not allowed to go look for fear of lightning strikes or flooding. The unfamiliarity of not being allowed to run around wherever they pleased made all of the children restless and ill-tempered. A few fights broke out, swiftly stopped by a swat of an elder or the strength of a young guard but neither of those groups could stop the game that broke out. Everyone could tell the children were getting even more collectively restless. Their chatter grew in volume, some shifted around, some got up and stood a various places around the room. 

“TAG!” The sudden command rang out and all of the children scattered, running around the main chamber, trying to escape whoever was ‘it’ and doge the adults that came to grab them. Elders couldn’t help but smile as giggling and the pattering of footsteps filled the main room; particularly those who had memories of doing the same thing. Some would lightly pinch the children as they went by, often eliciting a squeal and giggle while they chased each other. Shouting and giggling and footsteps bounced loudly around the room, but even the guards had given up trying to calm them; instead letting the children blow off steam. It was better than them fighting anyway. 

“Thelva’s it!” Nina called and suddenly everyone scattered, running from Thelva. Thelva however; ran right for Ace, going after him with a vengeance. It was going to be him or no one she decided. Breathless the two ran around until suddenly Ace was cornered. Thelva advanced slowly, savoring her assured victory. At least until Ace ducked past a guard suddenly and into the passage ways. Thelva ducked and ran after him, exchanging verbal barbs back and forth between giggles. The two were not paying attention at all to the storm now, only their game. A guard ran after them, but quickly lost the two as they ran with reckless abandon through the passages. 

Ace wasn’t paying attention and ran into a dead end with only one place to go. He turned and ran out into the storm, Thelva close on his heels. A sudden clap of thunder, followed by lightning made the pair scream, more from surprise than fear, and spurred them on. Thelva closed the distance, ignoring the rain as she strained her arm forward. “Got you!” Thelva yelled over the pattering of the rain with a grin despite being soaked. 

“Not for long!” Ace called back, turning on his heels and pelting after Thelva as she dashed away. Ace chased her down as they two ran around a little more outside, then made their way back in side, still laughing and now soaked to the bone. They both skidded to a halt once they entered the main room again. It was quiet now. Without “It” the game of tag had died down soon after and now everyone was eating some snacks. 

Thelva and Ace were quickly grabbed by a group of adults, armed with heavy towels and dray clothes. 

“Honestly, how could you go out in the storm?” 

“You’re soaked to your bones!” 

“Thunder storms are dangerous!” 

“You’re gonna get sick!” One Gerudo chided after another while besieging the children. First they were each dried off then helped into dry clothes, still another pushed a bowl of creamy soup into each child’s hands. “Go sit down with the others and warm up. No more running off or you’ll REALLY be in trouble.”