Everything and the Kitchen Sink

"Absolutely." Four ticked the points off on his fingers, leaning casually on Wolfie's shoulder. "I've listened to the Sailor's stories. You've shown us your masks. Plus," he grinned, sharp and mischievous, "it's been ages since we had some harmless fun."

Time put on a long-suffering face. "I dare say it won't be fun for the innkeeper." But he began divesting himself of his armor, storing it piece by piece in his pouch. He tried but failed to hide the excited grin tugging at his lips. "Let's do this," he agreed.

Four whooped. Wolfie's tongue lolled out in a wide, doggy grin, and he gave a happy bark.

-----

Four nestled himself deep inside Wolfie's neck fur, Minish-sized and ready for the show. 

"Keep a good grip," Wolfie told him as they mounted the steps to the inn. "I don't know what Time has planned. We may need to run."

"Got it," Four whispered back, the Picori language rolling naturally off his tongue.

Time opened the door for them, then approached the older lady at the reception desk. "Good evening, ma'am," he said smoothly. "Do you have three rooms available for the night? I'm traveling with a sizeable party, but they're willing to share."

The innkeeper peered over the desk, her round glasses slipping down her nose. "I'm sorry, sir," she said, voice dripping with false regret. "We don't accept animals in this inn."

"Oh yeah," Time remained relaxed, one hand resting on his belt, "I'm fully aware of that." He gestured down at Wolfie. "This is my great-great-grandson. We really look alike, right?"

The woman stared. "Sir, a wolf can't be your..."

She blinked, and Wolfie shifted under Four's feet. He muffled a yelp as his perch grew into Twilight's pelt. 

Time didn't even glance their way. "What's the matter?"

The woman pursed her lips and stared at the pair of Hylians in front of her, then huffed and closed her eyes. "Besides, you look too young to have a great-great-grandson."

Out of the corner of his eyen Four saw Time's hand plunge into his pouch. In an instant, a mask clamped itself onto his face, and the Old Man shrunk into a kid. Four stuffed his fist into his mouth to stifle his giggles.

"See?" the young Link jeered, pulling his good eyelid down and sticking out his tongue at Twilight. "She says I look too young! So you better stop calling me 'Old Man'."

Twilight chuckled. "Okay, okay. I'll take that."

Four peeked around Twilight's shoulder. The old lady stared, fingertips pressed together in concern. "Are you...Hylian?" she questioned, glasses slipping down her nose again.

In the time it took her to fix them, Twilight shifted back to Wolfie and Time pulled on another mask, turning into a Zora. Four buried his head into his arm, silently cackling as the pair just stood in front of the desk.

He heard the barely-audible griding of teeth and raised his head, gasping for air. Oh golden three her face! Legend's gonna be pissed he missed this.

The innkeeper sighed in defeat and pinched her eyes closed. "Yeah, you two look very alike. Welcome to the inn." She slid the register book and quill across the desk. 

Time removed his mask, signed and returned the book, and accepted the three keys in exchange. "Let's go, Pup."

Wolfie trotted happily after Time. Four turned and looked back at the reception desk. The poor woman had her head buried in her hands, staring blankly at the resiger book in front of her. Her lips moved, but he couldn't hear any words. He nudged at the shoulder rolling beneath him. "Did you catch what she said?"

Wolfie twitched an ear and huffed an amused bark. "She said, 'Am I tripping?'"