@MasterLink

“Any time Link!” They both say in unison, look at each other and laugh. 

Ruka is absolutely dazzled by the idea of a princess so strong as to be so important as to help taking down the baddest enemies. “Zelda. Woah.” She says brightly. “That’s such a cool name! Isn’t it dad?” She says as Salvador nods and gives a thumbs up.

—————

@Everyone

After a long night, Salvador begins to look up at the the opening in the roof, and starts to notice that the sun is coming out. “Oh no…” is all he says as he stares at Ruka with tears in his eyes. “Not yet. Please.” 

Ruka smiles, and says softly, “It’s okay dad, I will return another night.” She assures him as her skin begins to glow and then fade. Ruka is slowly disappearing. 

Sal picks her up and rushes to the bar counter, he looks around frantically. “I have to get her to a dark room!” He says. Then he throws a pocketful of the various currency coins he had been collecting onto the counter. He swiftly grabs an available room key, follows a pointed finger and runs in its direction to an available room inn side. He panics. Ruka says faintly. “No worries dad.” 

He gets the door to a small vacant room open. He places her gently on the bed and turns the light out, sobbing. He says “Goodbye.” And then he locks the door and leaves, with the key in his pocket. 

He takes a few moments to collect himself in the hall before walking back into the bar and grabbing a few bottles of rum. He sits down and stares at the unopened bottles, a different man entirely. He reaches out, and then he pulls his band back, then smashes the bottles angrily. “No!” He roars, “This is what started it all!” He hears voices in his head that stab at him mockingly and say things like “You could have saved her.” Even though deep down he knew there was nothing he could have done differently. 

He turns in his seat and he announces to anyone at all willing to listen. “Ruka, my daughter, hasn’t been around in a very long time.” He pauses. “Whatever this place is, it brought her back to me, even temporarily. And for that, I am truly grateful. Thank you to everyone here who allowed us some to share of your time and patience.” He humbly said. 

“This version of her, I have not seen since her passing. So whatever tricks of the mind this place played, to remember her as a figment of my memory.” He smiled, and it appeared the tears were happy ones as he began laughing. “I may have to stay here until nightfall to see if she does actually return. If so, I may have to consider this my new home for a time.” 

He continues, “These days, I have only known Ruka in my world to be a strong and unforgiving nature spirit. With no memories of me whatsoever. And it hurts my heart.” He stops. “But thank you for showing us some kindness and happiness. Cheers.” He says as he nods to those with any sort of memory of her left and lifts up his juice box triumphantly. “This next round’s on me.”

“And I sincerely apologize to all whom I have inconvenienced or interrupted.” He says finally.