Hollow Elegy

Grounded. No games, no movies, no TV Mom doesn't approve of, AND only for the segment of THAT program! Life just got heavy; all the heaps of chores, loss of privileges, and daily reminders - lectures really - that growing up and having freedom isn't free and it costs your free time in responding to real obligations: heavy deep; you're not ashamed, embarrassed, or worried, you don't feel slightly guilty for what you did- or rather what you didn't do- by not staying in contact.

Arguing was futile, as you spent the night finding out, when early morning's sunrise prompted Mom to cut the talk short and double down on reinforcing your discipline. "I'll contact Impa and see what she thinks about increasing your training workouts after we get some sleep. You're absolutely lucky I don't work tomorrow!" She said, finally, with a yawn, and sternly pointed you to your room. "I'm disconnecting the Nintendo tomorrow." She said before flicking off the light.

You wake up indignant yet curiously focused. Looking back on last night.

Having not wanted to say too much, you tried to no avail to explain how the tan redhead at the deli stole your Gameboy and sword, but Mom didn't remember seeing anyone else at the deli and you didn't trust that knowing her name would quell suspicions, but quite the opposite. Mentioning the Goron's name put a suspicious pause in the argument and you assumed it was best to divest associations with the street crowd, so you never mentioned Nabooru by name, and Mom hadn't even asked about Marin.

You had never been grounded before, and expected it to feel different. Nothing out of the ordinary, no guilt, no shame, not even anger, although mildly frustrated and confused; you're adamant to prove your case and....

You're not awake enough yet to fully focus your thoughts; and simply go through the motions, letting the indignation run its course.

You direct it into stretching and shadow boxing- or more accurately shadow fencing, since you're practicing sword techniques, not punching. 

You start off touching your toes like usual but something unexpectedly comes over you and your synapses take over; performing autonomous actions that you'd been training, automatically, and you slide into a stance, slowly, moving as if you had a heavy broadsword in both hands, performing slashes, chops, stabs, and spinning strikes in a fluid dance like as if Taijiquan or Yoga.

You're performing almost unconsciously and almost instantly forget, while it began, that you're performing automatic movement, and by the time you're conscious of it, an hour has passed! 

You didn't realize that you'd only gotten 4 hours of sleep when you woke in a foul mood, but felt wide awake and alert now. 

But hungry. SO hungry. The unconscious workout wreaked havoc on your appetite, and your gums were itching.

It was only 9:42 by the time you started downstairs, absent minded that Marin had dropped you off around midnight and then you spent an hour being lectured before arguing for the next 4 or so...

You quietly descend the stairs and pour a bowl of cereal. The plinking of cereal against the bowl or clatter of your spoon, much to your demise, must have been a tad too loud because, before the milk could be poured, mom came downstairs in a foul mood already ready to pick up lecturing from where it left off, and you drop the spoon in the dish, now full of milk and cereal. 

Mom isn't furious, and she's not frantic at all- opposite of last night- but her cold sternness is frightening, and you slink down in the chair.

She critically reminds you that you're grounded now and "there will be extra chores for you to help me with, like cleaning the kitchen, sorting dirty- and folding clean laundry- don't worry I'll show you how- separating and pairing socks, along with your current chores already." You attempt to express protest but she talks over you, ignoring it. 

"You'll be going with me to do groceries, next time I'm out, and when I'm at work, you'll be at Impa's. This morning I've already received her response to my text last night and you'll be going with me when I leave early for work to drop you off. In the mean time, load the dish washer and go unload the dryer when you're done." She pauses, "right after you finish eating and washing everything you just used- by hand."

You wince but focus on eating. 

You follow her instructions and begrudgingly carry them out. By the time you finish unloading the dryer, mom's already catching you up on more chores.

"I'll show you how we fold clothes while you mate socks- and make sure they match." And so followed the afternoon.

It was a long day and you're finally allowed to go to bed- which you've never felt more grateful for before in your life. 

You dream that night; a vivid dream of an endless and multifaceted void, constantly shifting, stirring, and billowing but strangely featureless and clear. The dream feels like a brief moment, not possibly more than five seconds. And you're stirring awake, grouchy, groggy, and sore from all day chores.

Grounding is starting to feel rotten. 

Groaning and growling in a somewhat cute sound given your youth, you protest the morning, keeping your eyes shut tight and furrowed. But you know it's no use and will have another long day ahead at Impa's today. Mom said "early" so you squint at the alarm clock: 

4:16.am. It reads.

You feel the lack of sleep in your eyes, which feel like a cracked desert dry lake bed, and regret looking. You roll back over and drift asleep for the next hour before mom wakes you up. "Take a quick shower and brush your teeth, get ready for training."

She seemed perky. Which felt disgusting right now...

But you follow through.

It all feels autonomous now and you find yourself in the car; on the road, bound for Impa's in no time, and before you know it, you're waving goodby to mom from the front steps.

"Child..." Impa's voice shatters your brain fog, "You're growing up and you'll be faced with such impossible dilemmas like this, wherein sometimes, you can do the right thing and still be punished..."

She drifts off but has much yet to say and you can sense it, waking up more clearly. 

"I am not going to be any harder on you because of this, and I'm going to train you in stealth because of this. Bring grounded, I dare not defy your mother; except... This presents itself as an opportunity not to be overlooked." You suspect you have a good idea what her thinking is.

She continues "I expect you not to go against your mother, but in site of that I want you to sneak out tonight and meet me in a very specific location not far from your house. An alleyway only 3 blocks-" your shocked expression and astonishment catches her attention and interrupts silently. "You're right to be concerned, but I know how to navigate the Lost Woods... I can and must teach you sooner or later anyways!" And cracks an uncharacteristic smile for a brief moment.

You feel uneasy but trust her enough that it's not discomfiting. She leads you into the house and the smell of bacon, eggs, and toast overwhelms you. "Seat yourself at the dining table and enjoy your breakfast this morning!" You hear Zelda call from the kitchen!