Link has accumulated an impressive number of female admirers over the years. While Zelda seems to be the fan favorite and Link’s most steadfast sweetheart, this hasn’t prevented other girls from pining after the green-clad hero. Many of these women simply get the wrong impression and interpret Link’s helpfulness as evidence of romantic interest. Even some fathers have eyed Link as a potential suitor for their daughters. Though he remains a man of few words, Link has somehow managed to imprint on the hearts of all these young ladies.
Unlike previous titles, though, Skyward Sword offers the opportunity to become a lot more involved in one of these love triangles: the Item Check side quest, which tests both heart and conscience.
Peatrice is the proprietor of Skyloft Bazaar’s Item Check. She hates her job and spends most of her dreary days dreaming about the perfect man, a habit which occasionally interferes with her work. Peatrice does not trust easily, and she certainly will not forget an unkind gesture. Her initial demeanor is bored and disinterested, with just a touch of sarcasm. This behavior changes, however, if the player takes the time to speak to her repeatedly. Her body language and demeanor transform once she realizes that Link is returning to the item check each day for her specifically; it’s a flattering move that leaves the once moody girl breathless and giggly. Pretty soon she will refer to you as “hon”, “sweetie”, and “darling”, and will turn red when she sees Link approaching.
Although Link and Zelda have a somewhat ambiguous relationship in most titles, I believe it’s safe to assume they are an item in Skyward Sword, because all evidence seems to point to this conclusion. After all, Link’s primary goal in this game is to rescue his childhood friend and bring her back to Skyloft, hopefully eradicating Demise in the process. Even Fi, whose disposition is largely impassive, takes the opportunity to weigh in on Link’s newfound admirer, advising him not to mention Peatrice to Zelda in the future. The implication is clear — you are entering dangerous territory for attempting to maintain two girlfriends at once.
To complicate things further, Peatrice’s father, Peater, unknowingly interferes by secretly enlisting Link to spy on his daughter and prevent male admirers from pestering her. Peater seems set on ensuring his daughter remains single forever, which is extremely ironic as he’s densely unaware of the fact that Link is the one Peatrice has fallen for. Despite this, one is inclined to feel sorry for Peater, who proudly regales anyone who will listen about the formidable years of his youth and his so-called reputation as “Mr. Skyloft”. The years have not been kind to Peater; a large belly has replaced his once chiseled core, and he insists on wearing his old knight uniform which no longer fits.
This constitutes a rather odd father-daughter relationship, as neither one communicates their true emotions to the other. Instead, they prefer to operate behind each other’s backs, with Peatrice insistent on keeping her crush on Link a guarded secret. Denial and delusion seem to be the driving forces in this family unit.
Peatrice’s side quest presents a tough ethical dilemma to us — should we tell her she got the wrong end of the stick and turn her down easy, or play along and make the poor girl happy by reciprocating her love confession (and acquire two girlfriends in the process?) It seems the game doesn’t care either way, because you will be awarded with the same number of Gratitude Crystals regardless of your choice. The only truly important question to ask yourself is: which decision are you able to live with?
I know too well the bitter feeling of unrequited love, but I’ve always maintained that the truth is better than a lie. Despite this fact, I just didn’t have the strength to disappoint Peatrice. I see so much of myself in her; I too am a hopeless romantic who is sick and tired of the revolving doors of mediocre men, patiently waiting for that one guy who will take you seriously for once. Many of Link’s other admirers were problematic in some way (heck, some even belonged to different species altogether). But Peatrice is as pure and sweet as the day is long, and she will always have a special place in my heart. So yes, you might call me a hypocrite for reciprocating her love confession, but I sleep well at night knowing that I helped a kindred spirit feel just a wee bit better about herself.
