I'm BACK! No! Don't run! I don't bite….! Anyway, I need some Zelda love, so I began to write. And… Kayla Kat needs to update. My skills may be a bit rusty, just to warn you guys. But with your help, I can accomplish anything! *Cheezy rainbows* So, without further blabbering ado, I present, the non-related to Awkward fanfiction titled, "Intruder."
Shadows lurked in every corner, nook and cranny of the S.S. Linebeck, threatening to reveal the ghosts and spirits that haunt the minds of adults and children alike as the sun gracefully slips below the horizon to give night its turn to rule the sky. The rocking to the boat kept its gentle pace with the deep azure waves, and even the soft cry of the gulls had fallen silent at this late hour. The chilly night air had long since settled in cozily with the inhabitants of the boat, who had no choice but to wrap their thin blankets more tightly around their bodies. Every so often, a gust of wind would move in from the west, and the war battered ship would creak and groan, its very core trembling with the threat of implosion. The occasional shout or laugh from a drunk leaving the Milk Bar on Mercay could be heard even from the dock, and the rare extremely wasted fellow could be heard emptying his stomach through his mouth into the sea.
But none of these reasons was the one keeping Linebeck awake. As the sailor stared thoughtlessly at the ceiling, his eyes drooping from an unquenched fatigue, he felt a horrific eeriness. An eeriness one would get after hearing a ghost story before heading off for bed, instantly haunting every corner. But Linebeck hadn't heard any ghost stories. All he knew at the moment was fear and fatigue. The only light in the cabin came from the waning crescent moon, for even the three small balls of light across the room had dimmed themselves in the deep of sleep. Linebeck closed his eyes, now begging for sleep. He turned his body in every comfortable position possible, but he just became more and more unsettled each time.
Across the room, Link stiffed in his sleep, mumbling incessantly about some, "Medley…" How many people could this kid know?
To his shock, the boat rocked dramatically and creaked from the ceiling of the cabin, freezing the cowardly man in his thoughts. His heart rate sped up rapidly as his eyes widened and his body tensed. It was almost as if someone had…
Footsteps.
Creak.
Creak.
'Don't come down the stairs, don't come down the stairs, don't come down the st-'
His fears were confirmed when a delicate thud was heard from the corner of the cabin.
Again.
And again.
Linebeck began subconsciously holding his breath as a figure, masked by the shadows of night, appeared, and stood motionless for a while. It began to walk to the opposite side of the room, to Link. Linebeck's heart nearly jumped from his chest. His confidence soared through the roof and he was ready to spring at the intruder until a beam of moonlight cast visibility on the figure.
This revealed two things.
The intruder was a man, and across his chest was a sash filled with an array of knives.
The kid would be fine without his help.
The intruder stood by the barely adolescent boy for a few moments, then reached over his body and plucked Neri from the batch of fairies. Her color immediately brightened to a brilliant sky blue, and she barely let out a confused cry before being stuffed in a bag. Ciela brightened instantly; turning a harsher yellow than usual in alarm. By the time she had collected her bearings, the intruder was gone.
Linebeck let out the air he had been holding and closed his eyes, trying to comprehend the last few minutes.
Why in Din's name did they want Neri? Yeah, sure, she's a Spirit, but… how would someone know to look here, of all places? And how-
"Linebeck, LINEBECK! Get up! Neri's gone!" Ciela's voice rang in his ears alarmingly loud, forcing his eyes open in effect.
The room was illuminated by a few lanterns that Link must've lit, Leaf was up, however groggy he was, and Link was busily roaming around the cabin, filling his supply bags. Ciela hover over him, still a bright neon yellow. Did all fairies brighten when afraid?
"Linebeck!" Ciela repeated, still trying to get his attention.
After a moment, Linebeck decided it was best to feign ignorance about what he saw. He would get hell from Ciela if she found out he hadn't done anything to help Neri. And Link wouldn't be too happy either. Plus, Neri's a Spirit. She can defend herself, can't she? And he was never entitled to be her body guard…
"What?"
"Neri's gone!"
Linebeck put on a face of confusion, "Did she decide to leave, or run away or something?"
Ciela stuttered in anger, "N-no! I don't know! I heard her scream, and then she was gone!"
The sailor sat up, leaned against the wall, and began to 'contemplate,' "Sparkles? Tone down your color a bit. You're blinding me. We might as well just get rid of all the lanterns if you stay this way.
Ciela blushed, "Oh… Sorry." In a split second, she was barely the hue of butter.
"Better," he smiled cockily as she sat down on the bed post, "Do all fairies do that? Or just the bi-polar ones?"
Her color flared again in time with her raising heartbeat, but calmed down just as quickly, "Yes, Linebeck. All fairies change hue based on their current emotions. Bi-polar or not. And that doesn't matter! Neri's missing!"
"Okay," Linebeck spoke smugly, ignoring her last two sentences, "Just wondering."
Ciela scoffed, "'Just wonder' my a-"
"Did you see who took her?"
Ciela jerked around in mid-sentence to see Link approaching her and her semi-enemy, followed by Leaf.
"…No…" She sighed, floating over to Link's shoulder delicately.
"Linebeck?" Link asked, locking eyes with the captain, "Did you see anything?"
Linebeck shook his head.
Link groaned, "We were going to go to the South Western Sea! We just got the new sea chart! And I don't suppose we can leave her, wherever she is…"
Link plopped down on the floor in a restless fury, forgetting Ciela was on his shoulder, causing her to topple over backwards.
Linebeck let out a snort, "I know what you mean, kid. But I say we ditch the power puffs and go on by ourselves. I mean, Pirate girl isn't looking better by any means," he motioned to Tetra.
Link said nothing (which was pretty usual for him; his earlier outburst nearly knocked Linebeck off his feet) and sighed.
Leaf spoke up during this awkward silence, "Wow, Ciela, I'm surprised you haven't screamed at Linebeck yet, or hit him in the head…"
Ciela rolled her eyes, "…Too tired."
Another gust of wind shook the ship, rattling everything, including her, who fell four feet from the air, and landed on the wood floor with a plunk.
Unfortunately for her, all three of the 'men' she had to speak of as her cabin mates burst into hysterical laughter, including Link, even if he was slightly subtler.
The fairy, dignity and feelings damaged, began fluttering to the back room, perhaps at an even lighter shade than earlier, "I'm going to try to get a little more sleep. If you come up with any quality ideas, let me know."
Linebeck's face contorted in puzzlement, "Why is she so dramatic? I don't understand her…"
Leaf shrugged, "She's always been that way. I say first thing tomorrow we go to ask the Ocean King what to do. What do you think?"
Link nodded, "I doubt it would be of any use to go searching tonight; it's too dark. What do you think, Linebeck?" Link turned to the older Hylian.
Linebeck shook his head, "Since when did we know the Ocean King?"
Link may have even laughed at this (a rare feat for him) and answered, "Oshus, Linebeck. Oshus is the Ocean King. Don't you remember that? He offered you a wish…"
Blushing, the captain rubbed the back of his neck, "Oh, right… the old man… I knew that…"
Leaf faked a smile, "What time is it?"
Linebeck glanced over at the old maritime clock on top of the engine and quickly answered, "A quarter after three a.m."
Link yawned, "I hate to leave the matter of Neri alone, but I think we better go with our plan. See you at seven." With that, the young hero climbed into his own bed, blowing out a candle in the process.
Leaf bobbed up and down for a moment, "Same here. I'll go tell Ciela. Night." Leaf fluttered into the back room.
Tired as well, Linebeck extinguished all the lanterns and climbed into his own bed.
Moments later, before Linebeck could fall asleep, Ciela and Leaf re-entered the room.
"I still don't forgive you guys…" Ciela was speaking just above a whisper.
"Who cares, Ciel?" We were just having fun! It's a hell of a lot better than if Linebeck or Link were to find out your little secret!" Leaf teased, saying the last word quite loudly.
"Will you be QUIET!" Ciela spat, "They're the last people who need to know."
Silence.
Ciela spoke gently in her next sentence, "You've promised before, and you'll promise now; don't tell a single soul, Leaf. Please."
"Yeah, I promise…" Leaf yawned, "I'm gonna hit the sack. Or rather, Link's head. G'night, Ciel."
"Night, Leaf."
Leaf landed on Link's head, and Ciela, at the hero's feet.
As Linebeck drifted into a short lived sleep, he realized he had a new reason for talking to Sparkles:
She had a secret.
So what do you think? Rushed? Out of character? Please tell me in a review.
P.S. What do you think Ciela's secret is? ;)