Chapter Text
Vee sighed and sunk back into her bed. It was evening already and despite the doors and windows being closed, she knew that the sun would set soon. Exhausted from a full day of training and working, she rubbed her eyes. She was insanely tired but the thought of falling asleep wasn’t exactly great. She didn’t want to be haunted by those dreams again. The 24-year-old Gerudo woman sighed. Everytime she closed her eyes, she could feel herself being pulled back to that godforsaken day. The smell of blood piercing her lungs, leaving a metallic taste in her mouth. The warm scarlett blood dripping of her fingertips, turning the sand into a dark sea of endless red. The sensation of the blood running down her arms, burning and stinging worse than a thousand snake bites. It was all there again. It wasn’t her blood. Suddenly a loud set of knocks snapped her out of her thoughts.
“Vee?” A voice. Instantly, Vee jumped up. She knew that voice. She grabbed the handle of the door, flung it open and pulled the person on the other side into a big bear hug. “IYUMI!!” As she let go of the slightly taller woman, her eyes shifted to look at her face. She still had the same old haircut, shoulder length. Her hair was dark blue, almost the same color as her lipstick. She was wearing soft clothes, the usual Gerudo wear. Her skin was tanned while her eyes were as brown as ever, a golden glow inside of them. “Gosh, we haven’t spoken in so long!” Vee exclaimed. Just then she noticed how many scars the woman had on her shoulders. But also how muscular they were. “Iyumi.. did you start training again?” She sighed. “You know you’re supposed to take care of yourself after...” She didn’t finish her sentence, afraid her thoughts would once again let her see what she was so desperately hiding from. It felt like she was prey and it was only a matter of time until she would be caught. “You’re hurt and you know that.. you broke several ribs!”
Iyumi grinned slightly but her eyes were telling. She was happy that her friend was looking out for her. “Trust me, I’ve healed up long enough to be able to train again.” She must’ve seen Vee’s worried face because after a second she added: “And don’t worry, I’m only doing some light exercises. Really. It’s nothing that you need to worry about.” She smiled. “Now..” Stepping forward, she grabbed Vee’s arm. “Let’s go get some drinks at the bar!”
Vee couldn’t help but chuckle at the suggestion. “Hell yeah!” She yelled, filled with excitement of having met her friend after all this time. As they were walking through the city, the sun was on her way to descend down, leaving the city engulfed in a magical light. The small glowing lanterns that decorated the alleys and larger areas of the city only seemed to add to that effect. Laughing, Vee and Iyumi were walking down one of the larger alleys, small plants and colorful cloths decorating the windows of the houses. Feeling the slight touch the warm breeze on her cheek, Vee followed Iyumi. They walked through alley after alley, finally reaching their destination.
The bar wasn’t exactly big, but not small either. Two stairs, each facing in the opposite direction, highlighted the way up to the entrance. As Vee stepped on the balcony, she could hear Iyumi settle in as well. An older looking lady who was standing behind the bar immediately waved them over, smiling.
“Vee! Oh and-“ The old lady seemed to be confused for a second but regained her composure rather fast when she realized that she was in fact, not dreaming. “Oh my god! Iyumi? How long has it been? Are you alright, dear?” Vee couldn’t help but feel the warmth spreading inside as she saw the Sera embrace Iyumi. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Sera said, her wrinkly face covered in happiness. While Iyumi and her grandmother were chatting a bit more, Vee sat down on one of the free couches that were sitting around on the balcony. A few other Gerudos had gathered around Iyumi, clearly eager to see her in good shape. Sometimes, Vee wondered how Iyumi knew so many people here. She knew a lot of people too but sometimes she wished she could also be a social butterfly like her. Vee huffed and scolded herself in her mind for those thoughts. As Iyumi made her way over to the table, the other Gerudos sat back down at theirs too, which was basically just next to them. When Vee turned her gaze away from the to look at Iyumi, she noticed her looking at her.
“By the way,” she began. “Red suits you.” Vee looked at her, confused for a second before realizing she meant her hair. She laughed. “Man, I totally forgot you didn’t see me with my new hair color before.” The table next to them suddenly erupted in laughter, presumably because one of them had told a joke. Two fine cocktails were silently blubbering on the table. Vee grabbed one and took a sip. “But, I also do love your hair. When did you cut it?” She asked, genuinely curious. “Oh come on, you know I wanted to get rid off that hair for a long time.” Vee chuckled, taking another sip. “Oh, I know.. to be honest, I didn’t think you’d do it.” Iyumi made a fake shocked pose and responded in a dramatic voice. “You’re not serious! Me? And going back on a promise? Oh my god..” She pretended to faint, laughing loudly just seconds after. Not even Vee, who was usually rather quiet around public places, could stop her laughter.
“Hey.. Iyumi?” She said, wiping her eyes who had teared up from laughing so much. “Can I ask you something rather unrelated..” She didn’t want to ruin the mood but this question had been weighing on her since they had met again. “Sure.” The blue-haired Gerudo answered, taking a big sip from her yet to be touched cocktail. Vee, on the other hand, could already feel the alcohol warming her throat, sending that specific tingling sensation through it. “I’ve just been wondering how you healed up so quickly. Your ribs were fully shattered..” She looked down, the echo of breaking ribs still burned into her mind. Iyumis gaze shifted to the side. “I met a Hylian. It was.. weird. He had this.. almost ghost-like person with him. She looked like a Zora, but in uh.. red? I think her name was Miph- Uhh. Mipha? Something like that. She healed me. Not fully but.. it helped a ton. I don’t know how.” “A healer? I’m so glad they could help you.” Vee responded, noticing a subtle change in Iyumis face. “Yeah..” She said, not looking into Vee’s eyes. “Also, feel free to take more drinks if you want. I’ll pay!” She added, smiling again.
“NO WAY! You know I can’t let you pay all that!” Vee said, eyes wide.
“You have to. I insist.”
Reluctantly, Vee agreed, grumbling a small “Fine.. thank you..” before nipping at her drink again. This was going to be a long night.