The Boat that Rocked: A Golden Sun Fanfic
(Author's notes START! Don't read if you just want the story and don't care about my lunatic rants)
Before the story begins, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to click on my story. I'll try not to make you regret it. Already did? Too bad... Anyway. This fic takes place in the middle of The Lost Age timeline, specifically in the boat on the way to Prox, just after the two parties met. I've always thought when playing the game that the interactions between two groups which were ready to fight for the fate of the world a couple of days before and are now (literally) on the same boat, would make for an interesting story, especially since while some of them have known each other since childhood, others have had no impression of the other group other than "enemies". Add in just a liiitle crack humor and you basically have the recipe of the story…
This is my first time publishing a story, so please be nice to me. That said, I'll appreciate any criticism you take the time to throw my way, as long as it isn't blatant flaming, so please do try to give me some hints/feedback/whatever about the story :)
(Author's notes END! Story START!)
- GAAAAAAA-RREEEEET!
Jenna's voice echoed in the small cabin like a war trumpet, making everyone in the vicinity cringe until they ascertained they were not the target of the call. They had come to know that tone of voice very well…
…and none better than a certain orange-haired Mars Adept who was timidly emerging from the pantry.
- Ah, there you are, Garret! Might I have a word with you? Jenna continued, in a perfectly modulated tone of voice that fooled no one.
- Sure, I guess… The accused party shot plaintive glances at the rest of the gallery, but found the rest of the crew quite conspicuously avoiding his gaze: Kraden quickly pretended to sip from an empty cup of tea, Piers developed a sudden interest in the view of the waves beyond the cabin window, and Mia simply shrank, futilely trying to hide behind the pot she was tending to in front of the fireplace. Regardless of Jenna's outward calm, the temperature in the room had risen by about two degrees since she had made her entry. Nobody was foolish enough to place themselves in the crosshairs for the fireworks that were about follow.
Whispering a "Thanks, you guys" after realizing the futility of his efforts, Garret bravely started walking and met with Jenna halfway, placing the two practically in the middle of the room. While he might have outwardly appeared calm, a sharp observer (or simply the friends who had known him for most of his life) would be able to deduce his nervousness from the way he was clenching and unclenching his fists,the slight trembling of his legs... or more importantly, the fact that his ears were starting to glow red before the conversation had even begun.
- So, Jenna began in the same nonchalant tone of voice, I was going through the tasklist for today... You do know what the tasklist is, don't you Garret?
-Yeah, it's the list with the various chores we have to do every day...
-Excellent! So you know what it is! She interrupted. So I was going through the tasklist for today, checking to see if I was on duty somewhere... are you following me?
Despite his ears slowly turning the same shade as his hair, Garret nodded.
- I was going through the tasklist for today, and found that you, Garret, were on laundry duty today... You do know what laundry duty is, correct?
Unwilling -or perhaps unable- to speak, Garret nodded again.
- And so, you see, I was wondering... WHEN IN THE NAME OF THE MOST HOLY WISE ONE DID YOU EVER GET THE IMPRESSION THAT "LAUNDRY" CONSISTS OF TOSSING THE CLOTHES IN SALT WATER AND HANGING THEM OUT TO DRY?
That last line got the attention of everyone pretending not to listen.
- Wait, he did what? Piers interjected. - Salt water? ALL OF OUR CLOTHES?
- Even my lacy underwear? Those took me ages to make! I was saving them for seducing Isaac! Mia exclaimed.
Even the condemned Garret, who was at this point being shaken by Jenna like a ragdoll, turned his head at that.
- I mean... Nevermind! I didn't say anything! Mia blushed and shrunk behind her cauldron again. Meanwhile, Jenna was still shaking Garret with enough force to break his neck. Her wrath was not going to be derailed by little details such as her new ally and roommate having indecent designs for her childhood friend and crush... Wait, what?
- AND SO UNTIL YOU WRING EVERY LAST TRACE OF SALT FROM EVERYBODY'S CLOTHES, YOU WILL BE... Wait, Mia, WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY? She exclaimed, promptly dropping Garret and beginning to march against Mia.
Fearing, perhaps, for the sanity of the party, or the very real possibility that their ancient Lemurian vessel was about to become the stage of a full-blown catfight between Adepts, Kraden placed himself between the two girls.
-Jenna, my dear, I do believe our dinner is ready, so why don't you go and call the others down so we can all eat together? Isaac and Felix are practicing their swordsmanship on the prow, I believe... You wouldn't want Isaac or Felix to miss dinner, would you?
And indeed, while in the beginning it seemed like Jenna was about to just walk all over Kraden in an effort to get to her just-declared rival, the choice words of "Isaac", "Felix" and "Miss Dinner" seemed to reach the red-haired Adept. Throwing a parting glare towards Mia, as if to say "this isn't over", she wordlessly turned towards the stairs leading to the deck.
The now-apparently-forgotten Garret and the barely-recued Mia simultaneously heaved a sigh of relief. Garret even started a low chuckle, perhaps marveling at still being alive... or perhaps planning the teasing he was going to give his roommate Isaac about the apparent budding rivalry for his affections. Either way, his joy was short-lived as a hand with an iron grip fell onto his shoulder. Turning around, he found a smiling Piers radiating an aura so cold it started freezing over the previously furnace-like room.
-Now, let's see about putting you to work rinsing all the clothes you destroyed...
Despairing, Garret turned to Mia for help. She gave him an angelic smile.
(Well, I never thought I'd actually see it happen, but here it is. The first chapter of the Boat that Rocked, all typed out and ready for posting! I know it's kind of short, but I'm going to be away from PC for a while and I had to post at least the beginning before I left it. Look forward to longer (as long as I can get them) chapters.
In the next episode: Ivan and Sheba appear! Felix and Isaac: Duel of the Leaders! And the final fate of Garret, laundryman supreme! Don't Forget To Tune In!)