C-1.11

And so, we finally got out of this damned skull, after what felt like an eternity but was barely half an hour. At least we got something to eat, although I don't think I even need to eat anymore. 

"So, how about we climb that tower next?" Linkle said while pointing at a large tower, which I recognized as one of the towers that unlocked the map of its surroundings, in the distance. "I was already on it once and the view is quite nice... but more importantly it's a good point to start gliding from. And I guess you would be able to jump a lot farther as well." She continued, looking at me and now that our new masks were stored away inside her Sheikah Slate, I finally asked what it's called, I was able to see some hints of the blush that previously adorned her face. 

"If you want to..." To be honest I couldn't care less where we ate and as I said I probably didn't even need to, but if she wanted to eat on top of the tower, then on top of the tower we shall ear. This is the least I could do for her after what she did to get the masks... 

Then we started walking towards it and soon found ourselves at the foot a very high building, I'd guess about one hundred meters high. And can't help but ask. 

"So how exactly did you get on top of this? Did you really climb this?" I could almost fell her annoyance at my words. 

"Did you forget that I am supposed to be the hero of Hyrule?" She said while rolling her eyes. Then she started climbing... while I simply looked at the tower and the small platforms, which probably exist for climbers to take a short break, but for me? They enable me to skip climbing completely, or at least I hope so. 

Which is why I first took a few steps back, started to run and then I jumped, this time not forward, but rather upwards and I soared into the sky, at least for a few seconds before I the first platform under, which is also when I started falling again, landing directly on top of it... 

Now I could just continue jumping up, but I could also wait for Linkle... which would probably result in quite a funny expression. So of course, I waited and soon I saw a small hand reach onto the ledge, following which Linkle pulled herself up to where I waited for her. But instead of being annoyed or something like that she simply looked at me, thought for a bit before she approached me and started talking. 

"So, oh, mighty apprentice if you are strong enough to simply jump up here then carrying your poor old teacher wouldn't be any problem for you, now, would it?" Heh. Two can play that game... 

"You sure? I thought climbing this tower wouldn't be any problem for such mighty hero like you?" She simply scoffs. 

"Yes, it isn't much of a problem, but if I have such a great apprentice then I might as well enjoy some benefits, no? So, get to it." She haughtily waved her hand, and even though she was able to suppress her blush, I was still able to tell that she was quite embarrassed... curious. But well why would I not do this? So, I simply turned around, crouched down and motioned for her to get onto my back. 

"Then please do hold tight, oh poor teacher." It took a few seconds but soon I was able to hear her approach me and following that holding onto me. I then stood up and shook my body a bit to check if she was holding on tight enough. But considering I was able to feel her chest push into my back I don't think that that will be a problem. 

So, I simply took a short run-up and then I jumped, with just a bit more power than the last time. And without any issues I landed on top of the next platform. And although I don't think anything was wrong, I still asked, just to be sure. 

"You ok, back there, Linkle?" 

"Mhm, I'm fine." I heard her mumble into my back. "Although this is way different from gliding. Not bad, but just different, a lot more exciting for one. I can't say that it is bad though." Huh, I guess, she would compare it to gliding but still, I can't imagine that gliding could be better than this. She seemed to notice my feelings... 

"As I said, I don't think it's bad. It's just different, especially considering that I am not really in control of anything right now. I simply must hold onto you, and you will do the rest. Which, again, isn't bad just different." I guess I can understand that, but still... 

But instead of giving her an answer I simply jumped, this time without a run-up. I simply used even more power and we easily reached the next platform. But this time I only checked whether Linkle still held onto me, which she did, after which I immediately did the next jump, which let us reach the top. 

I then kneeled, to let Linkle get of me easier. But she didn't instantly demount my back, instead felt her squeeze me once and then get off my back slowly. After she was standing on her own two feet again, I turned around and looked at her with a teasing face and I could see her face heat up again, as well as feel her embarrassment. But instead of commenting, she simply gave a proud smile and then mentioned towards a small spot near edge. 

Deciding not to tease her more I simply walked towards the place she pointed at and set down. While I wasn't looking at her, I heard the distinct sound of her hands slapping her face twice, after which she, too, walked towards the ledge and sat down left to me. She then reached into her S-Slate, I'm not calling it the Sheikah Slate every single time, and pulled out some wood, which she laid down Infront of us. After that she pulled out two kind rocks, flintstones, I'd guess, and started making a fire. 

Soon we had a small campfire in front of us. Then she pulled out some sticks and a pot, with which she then built a small make-shift cooking pot. Next, she pulls out some of the meat that we found in the storage of the Bokoblin camp and some plants, which she all puts into the cooking pot, that she filled with some water. While doing all of this she has a small content smile on her face, so I don't interrupt her and simply let her do her thing. 

A few minutes later we got some nice stew, which she then fills into some bowls that she, once more, pulled out of her S-Slate. After which she put a spoon in each of the bowls. And now I can't help but comment. 

"Do you, like, have everything in there?" She giggles at my words. 

"No, not everything, but I did make sure to grab enough cooking utensils, after not having enough once I never wanted to not be able to eat in peace again..." She gives me one of the bowls, which I gladly take. 

"Well then, thanks for the food." After making sure that Linkle had her bowl filled, too, I started to eat. And I have to say that this is way too tasty considering that Linkle made this from a few plants and some meat we found. 

"Wow, Linkle. This is really good." I see her smile at my words. 

"Thanks. I really enjoyed cooking, I think. And I still do if I'm honest. The first time I cooked after waking up, I kinda did everything without even realizing it. And quite a lot of memories I remember are filled with cooking. Most of the time for Zelda, she always asked me to cook for her and after doing that as often as I did, I got very good at it, I guess." She looked a bit sad after saying that and ate another spoonful. 

"I still don't really know how I should feel about Zelda, if I'm honest, but every time I think about how she fought off the Calamity alone for about a 100 years, I get sad and angry, at the same time. But every time I cook something I think about better times, when all I had to worry about was filling the stomach of a princess, instead of saving her from certain doom..." 

I don't really know what to say now... on one hand I want to cheer her up but on the other hand I don't really know how.