Back to Basics .02

Ravio sighed as he flopped down on his own bed, snuggling into the blanket and pillow. It had only been a week since he'd returned to his own world and he was already missing Hyrule. Or, rather, Hyrule's hero. Ravio gave another halfhearted sigh as Sheerow chirped softly landing on the bedpost.

"I'm fine buddy." He said but it wasn't very convincing. Sheerow pecked him in scolding. "Okay, okay!" Ravio pouted in reply. "I guess... I'm just homesick... of a place that wasn't really my home?" With a whine Ravio rolled over and flailed his arms. "I just don't know, Sheerow!"

Sheerow gave a questioning peep, and Ravio pouted in reply. "Maybe I'll just... get some air or something." Yeah, that sounded good. Enough hiding in his home (and Link's). The monsters were either all gone or at least not as vicious as they used to be. It was safe enough to walk around outside a bit at least. Decision made, Ravio got out of bed and headed out the door. Maybe he'd go to the castle. Maybe he'd sneak into town. Maybe he'd seek out the blacksmith! Who knew! Ravio decided he'd let his feet surprise him.

With new resolve, and a determination to not be such a coward all the time. Ravio set out!

He opened the door!

He stepped into his lawn!

He felt nauseous!

Oh... wait a minute. The cowardly Hero of Lorule's expression fell and he took the last two steps towards the fence around his yard at a run before throwing up over the side.

His feet had lead him here. And now, turning on his heel, they lead him right back inside. Bad feet! That would be the last time he listened to them. Ravio thought as he flopped back into his bed. Forget outside! He'd be a hermit from now on!

XxX

Link heaved a sigh of relief as wiped the sweat from his brow as he set the last piece of furniture back where it belonged. It hadn't taken to long to fix the mess Ravio had made, but Link was still confounded how Ravio had managed to disassemble everything so quickly to begin with. He was only gone a hour at most when he came back to find the rabbit-clad man's new store.

Letting a smile cross his face, Link shook his head. Yet another of the many mysteries of Ravio. Another that he'd never learn as well. Like why..? Link's smile fell to a saddened expression and he shook off the thoughts leading back to that last night. Ravio had said it was nothing. Maybe Link was just looking to much into it, but it certainly hadn't felt like nothing to him.

He hadn't spent much time home during his journey, but he had still gotten so used to Sheerow's chirps and Ravio's random and energetic outbursts. He missed them both dearly, and constantly wondered how they were faring in Lorule. Ravio more-so than Sheerow of course.

Link truly wished there could have been another way to end it all. A way that didn't involve destroying the only method he had to visit the neighboring world.

But as the Hero, Link knew he had to do what was best for both worlds. Not just himself... Though he would always miss Ravio. There really was nothing he could do about it.

Shaking his head, Link decided to head over to the blacksmith's house. Maybe doing something away from home would make him stop thinking about his Lorulean double. But he really doubted it.

XxX

Sheerow gave a worried twitter and circled over Ravio's head. Almost two months now, and Ravio was acting more odd then usual. The strange bird was positive his companion must have caught something, but obviously couldn't get his friend to leave his home more than the few trips he took to the castle to visit Hilda.

Ravio gave a yawn and waved Sheerow off. "I'm fine Sheerow, just tired. I guess the life of retirement got me used to sleeping all the time." He gave a half hearted chuckled but Sheerow simple stared at him unamused.

Well that excuse had worked a few weeks ago. The former merchant figured he probably needed some new material. It didn't help that at the oddest occasions he would suddenly get nauseous and throw up anything he'd eaten that day. At first he'd thought it was some type of bug, but if that were the case it would have been gone already right? Maybe it was a chain of illnesses! That could happened couldn't it? After all, some weeks he never had a problem, but others, he was throwing up constantly.

Perhaps he really should go see a doctor. If nothing else than to put his pal at ease, but... Ravio yawned wide. He was just too tired right now. "I think I'll just take a nap..." Ravio said quietly to ease his friend. "Yeah... a nap sounds nice."

He snuggled down into his bed and sighed a smile crossing his face. Yeah just a quick nap and he'd be better. Maybe he'd even go to the castle and see Hilda today. She was probably worried about him by now. Or thinking he'd abandoned her again... A frown crossed his face, he really hoped not. Though he'd known Hilda for years, she was still so quick to think the worst. She'd gotten better since the events of restoring their triforce, but still...

Sheerow gave a questioning chip as Ravio lay silently thinking, but received no reply as Ravio's thoughts went on. He did what he had to do, right? He had to return to Lorule at the end. It was his home. He belonged here. But he didn't really feel like it so much any more. "I guess I miss hi- Hyrule. I miss Hyrule, is all." Ravio said softly to his small companion barely catching himself. Homesick... or... maybe just sick. Eyes widening slightly Ravio darted from the bed and out of the house.

Sheerow gave a nervous twitter as the sound of retching filled the air. It looked like he'd have to take matters into his own wings if he wanted anything to be done for his friend. Poor Ravio.

XxX

The next day, Ravio dragged himself out of bed later than usual and looked around confused at the obvious lack of a certain feathered friend. "Sheerow?" Ravio called for the strange bird but got no reply. Frowning, Ravio could only assume that Sheerow was out retrieving an item from some fallen traveler he'd rented to. Though usually Sheerow would let him know before taking off... Come to think of it he didn't recall renting out anything since he'd gotten back from Hyrule. He'd sold all his merchandise to Link after all.

Letting out a sigh, Ravio decided he'd better get dressed already. He was late as is, and surely Sheerow would show up eventually.

With the hope that he wouldn't be sick again today, Ravio got dressed in more "heroic" looking attire for a visit with the Princess, one was well overdue after all. Huh... That was odd. His tunic felt tighter then he remembered. The merchant gave a shrug. He'd probably gained some weight lazing about all day instead of constantly running from monsters like before. Still! He managed to uncomfortably dress himself in the tunic that he'd never wear on any other occasion, and headed for the door. He'd not been to the castle in over a week and had a feeling Hilda wouldn't be too pleased at his absence. Secretly, Ravio hopped Hilda had been too busy reorganizing the kingdom to have noticed he was gone.

Ravio's hopes were instantly crushed the minute he opened he front door. Just as a certain princess had raised her hand to knock on it.

"Oh. There you are, Ravio." Hilda spoke elegantly as was her usual style. "I had not seen you at the castle for a while." She nodded and a chirping sound joined her and Sheerow flew out from behind her. "When your little friend appeared in such a panicked state claiming you were unwell, I had feared the worst for you."

Sheerow! The traitor! He'd brought the princess here?! Ravio gave a sheepish grin at Hilda. "Oh, I don't know what's got into him. He probably had a nightmare or something, right buddy?" Hilda gave a critical look at Ravio clearly not believing him and Sheerow took offense chirping and twittering in protest. He'd seen what was going on.

Swatting Sheerow, a large frown plastered on his face, Ravio tried again. "Honestly, Princess Hilda. I'm in perfect health!" The merchant stroke a dramatic pose and a small smile crossed Hilda's face.

"Well, as long as you are certain you are alright." She gave a light laugh as Ravio did a small dance for her.

"Yep! Never been more alright in my life, princess! You've got nothing to-" and just like that, the nausea returned full force. Ravio barely managed to shove past Hilda before his body forced the rest of the previous days food out of his system and into the grass.

Hilda gave a startled gasp and placed her hand over her mouth in both shock and worry. "Oh, Ravio..." she said softly before going to his side to help him up off the ground. "You should have told me you were sick." She scolded lightly.

Ravio pouted at her but didn't protest being helped. "I'm not sick." He vainly protested. "Just some... random nausea. It doesn't happen all the time! Only on occasion! Not a big deal."

"It's been happening more often?" Hilda asked concerned. "Ravio, why didn't you tell me?"

Had he been wearing his usual attire, the ears of his favorite hat would have fallen. Instead, Ravio just slumped slightly. "You've got more on your plate than you can deal with already, Princess. I didn't want me being sick to add to your worries."

Princess Hilda shook his head, a sad smile on her face. "I will always have a separate plate of worries for you, Hero of Lorule." Ravio's eyes widened slightly at the title and as usual he tried to protest it, only for Hilda to silence him. "Come, Ravio. The sooner the royal doctors have examined you, the sooner we'll have you back on your way to being the silly little merchant we all know and love."

Ravio blushed a bit but played it off with a wide grin. "What ever you wish, my Princess!" He gave an exaggerated bow to her bringing forth a melodious laugh before she motioned him to follow and the two made their way to Lorule castle.