The Diary of Midshipman Deryn Sharp
Chapter 2: The Newkirk incident
Okay! Chapter 2 is here! Nonsense only, of course. Absolutely no point~ Just remember that. ;)
Onto this next chappy!
Laundry day is coming soon, I hope I'm not the one to do it, since it usually takes all day and even if we are being attacked, the middy who is responsible is not allowed to stop the washing until it is finished to help fight. Probably because if they didn't the work would never get done since we all hate having to do that chore in particular. I look at my favourite trousers and see a big ugly stain on the knee from where Alek accidentally splashed me with oil.
Still haven't gotten over that annoying dummkopf, but I'll get my revenge eventually. As long as I don't have to do the laundry, I'll be fine. I pull my shirt over my head, and am about to tuck it into my pants, when the door slams open and Newkirk runs in.
"NEWKIRK!" I screech, flinging my shirt down over myself in a hurry.
"Have you ever heard of knocking? Did someone knock you on your attic?" I glare at him angrily. Newkirk frowns then laughs at me.
"What is your problem? We're all men on this ship, I don't understand your behavior sometimes when it comes to your shirt..." his eyes widen and he stares at me closely, and I begin to panic, feeling the heart in my chest begin to beat erratically.
"You..." Newkirk starts. "From the way you act, it seems as if..." I gulp.
"As if?" I practically squeak. Newkirk puts on a very serious face.
"That you must have an estranged birth mark that embarrasses you." I almost fall down in relief at shock at his stupidity. I am lucky he is not that bright in things other than aeronautics. Sighing, I look Newkirk over.
"Now that you've got my attention, what brings you here?" I inquire. Newkirk smiles.
"Alek told me to tell you that Dr. Barlow said to say that Count Volger wants to see you." I blink at him.
"Well, then. Go tell Alek to tell Dr. Barlow to mention to Volger that I decline." Newkirk stands there for a big, trying to process what I just informed him of.
"S-sure! I'll go do that!" he says, as if he still doesn't get what I said, but is trying to appear as if he did, and runs out of my room. I head over and shut the door. I let out a large breath. If Newkirk had been a squick earlier, or a squick brighter than he is, he would have definitely found out my secret. Reaching for my jacket, I leave my quarters and head for the gondola of the airship.
Passing several beasties on the way, I pet a few message lizards and when I reach Volger's quarters, I tiptoe by. I am very unlucky, though, for I hear a voice come from inside.
"I can hear you Dylan." I groan. That annoying count! He has ears that might even outmatch some beasties! I turn and head over to the door, peeking in.
"Have you forgotten all about fencing lessons? I sent a message to you." I roll my eyes and he clucks his tongue, telling me that he saw that and I frown.
"Aye, I heard the message. I just decided to ignore it." Volger's eyes narrow.
"Deryn, you know that since you are the girl Alek is such great friends with, I need to make sure you are capable of being an ally even though you are a girl-"
"Dylan!" I hear and freeze, the hair on my neck standing on end as if a huxley had taken me up into the sky in an electric storm. Newkirk runs up. Oh no. He must have heard everything.
"Don't tell me..." Newkirk says, "you take fencing lessons from Volger?" I let out another breath. He still doesn't know. I turn away from the both of them, and stalk down the corridor.
"Dylan?" Newkirk calls.
"Your heads are full of clart!" I shout, just for the fact I fancy hearing myself curse at them. I reach a lower deck and head straight for the lavatory. I slip inside and head go to the place where boys go to the bathroom. I look around and listen, waiting carefully before slipping my pants down and going to the bathroom very quickly. I hear a noise and pull my pants up real quick, but I do it to roughly, and get the button stuck.
My pants cover my completely, but I can't move. My eyes widen and I realize I'm stuck against the urinal.
"Dylan?!" I hear and almost curse something worse than what I've said before. Newkirk walks into the bathoom. Of COURSE its him. I feel panic rise in my chest and I try to pull the button off from where it is stuck.
"Dylan, is something wrong? You ran off earlier." he asks me. I shake my head.
"Err no. I'm just dandy! Please, can you just go away for a minute? I'd like to...do my business in private." Newkirk frowns.
"Why? You're always so strange when it comes to bathing hour and break time. Is there something wrong with you?" he looks at me and walks over. My face begins to flush bright pink.
"Are you stuck?" he finally asks. I shake my head, stuttering violently.
"N-no! I'm just fine. Can't...go for some reason, maybe because I really don't have to, but please go away!" I yelp. Newkirk frowns.
"I guess so, but I'm not sure how you'll get out of there without help. I'll stand outside until you need my help." he heads outside. I let out at sigh of relief and allow my head to thump against the shelf in front of me. I eventually get myself freed, and leave the room by the back door. The rest of my day doesn't get any better.
Every time something happens, Newkirk is always there to almost figure out my secret. Luckily for me, the lady boffin is the only one who will always call me Mr. Sharp.
I'm scrubbing the deck and singing Newkirk is a bum-rag when I hear footsteps. Alek rounds the corner.
"Hey Deryn! I haven't seen you all day!" he smiles at me and I find it hard to even muster a frown.
"Aye, we haven't, but what have you been up too?" I ask. Alek shrugs.
"I've been training with Volger, practicing my languages, researching beasties with Dr. Barlow and studying aeronautics." He grins. "Today has been a wonderful day on the Leviathan." I turn away from him in dismay, realizing I've been the only one who had a clart filled day and that Alek is too happy for me to look at. I scrub the floor, feeling extra depressed.
"Barking spiders..." I mumble. "What a lousy day...dummkopf!.."
Okay. I know this chapter was weird, strange, etc; yet I couldn't think of any other ways to make it where Newkirk almost finds out she's a girl. So...sorry if you thought it was odd. And I just realized Deryn never figured out what Newkirk wanted all the other times he appeared... :P
Review? o.O yet again...maybe not.(Lol)
Until Next time!
~Misty
