Hello all! Here's Chapter 7 after what seems like years. Now's the only chance I could get to upload it - by the time i get more writing time, exams will have sapped all my known imagination out and I'll be as blank as a blackboard. -_-; I'm also sorry it's progressing so damn slowly - this is my first unplaned story; I didn't draft a note form of it before writing. ^^' But hey, at least it's still going instead of grinding to a halt. ^^ I have a feeling that after chapters 8, 9 or even 10, I'll start needing some ideas for this one. I'd be grateful if you guys could lend me a hand and drop me a few ideas via PM. In the meantime though, read on and enjoy! ^^
I awoke next morning and everything was as blurry as anything. I could barely see past the boxes a few inches from my face. Well, how would I have been able to? They're boxes. As I stirred in the bed, I felt a slight weight and then the sound of hurried, pattering feet. I sat up, letting the covers settle around my waist and my vision cleared.
"AAAH! Meta Knight, what the hell do you think you're doing? Don't ruddy sneak up on me like that, you nutjob!"
"Miss Scarlett, I – "
"Do you realize what you've just done? It's called 'being inappropriate! I'll bet that they'll throw ya in the ruddy clink for that!"
Meta Knight seemed bewildered. "Pardon my intrusion... and in this case, my curiosity."
"...Huh? C-Curiosity?"
He nodded. "Yes. I was simply going to awaken you in order to check on your condition. But seeing as you're already alert and by your sudden reaction..." Meta Knight trailed off, as if my outburst had sent him into total shock and he was trying to conceal it by turning his back on me.
I furrowed an eyebrow in confusion. I always thought that Meta Knight was a hardened combat kind of guy, only showing guidance or hate towards Kirby when needed. I thought he was perfectly capable of emotional control in this kind of situation. Was I wrong? Or was it because there was such a distinct difference between species that he couldn't get his head round it? I never thought...
Soft warmth radiated inside my chest as I crawled out of bed and placed my hand on his blue head. He shivered slightly before nodding in recognition.
"Yes... I presume you are back to your original condition."
"You mean I'm fine? Yeah, I'm good. Sorry about that, Meta Knight. You just scared the living daylights out of me. That's all."
Meta Knight nodded again, seeming to accept the fact before wandering off to the door. My eyes smiled as he walked but the warm feeling soon turned to dread. My folks! If Meta Knight went out there, my mum and dad would surely catch him.
"Wait!"
Too late. As he turned, poor Meta Knight got the door opened on him, locking him in the corner behind it.
"Scarlett? Are you alright?" Mum had heard me yelling but had obviously gotten dressed before opening up to check what was happening. I was more than thankful that my face was hidden under my hair.
"Y-Yeah. Yeah, all's gold, love."
"Are you sure? I heard you screaming."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Honest."
"Did you have a nightmare or something?"
"Mum. It's cool, okay?"
"Are you absolutley sure?"
"Yeah. Like I said - it's gold. All's cool, okay?"
That embarrasingly awkward parent silence fell again. I only hoped that Mum was finally out of my hair now.
"Has your period started?"
"What?" I snapped my head up, blushing furiously. "Mum, that's just beyond inappropriate! That's blooming disgusting, for crying out loud!"
Mum's blue eyes gazed at me like I was crazy. "Every girl has them, Scarlett..."
"I know! It's just that -" I exhaled sharply and rubbed the sweat of my brow, casting my eyes to the floor in an attempt to regain my composure. "Look, let's just say I wasn't expecting that question first thing on a Sunday morning, okay?"
Mum nodded slowly, not quite understanding my reaction. She even looked a little offended.
"Okay, treasure. Well, you'd better get ready for horse now."
"Will do."
Mum turned to leave, pulling the door shut. I looked in the corner: I couldn't help but let a snigger escape my lips. Meta Knight looked petrified, arms out and upright like someone reaching up to a deity, eyes wide and standing on tiptoes as still as a statue. I noticed his eyes were twitching.
"You can stop now," I tittered.
Meta Knight let himself fall flat on his front as he relaxed, causing me to burst out laughing. He didn't seem very happy about this. Nor did he think it was any laughing matter.
"Miss Scarlett, please..." He pulled himself up and brushed himself down, trying to look a little more dignified.
I settled down a little before replying. "Sorry... but that was a right giggle. You do know that, don't you? And I'm sorry you got the door shut on you."
"Yes, well. I thought that would be the least of my worries..."
I chuckled again. "Not your fault. Now turn around."
"Why?"
"Just do it! And no peeking!"
Meta Knight sighed gravely, like he was completely but respectfully fed up. "As you wish..."
About an hour or so later, the grey clouds were trying to block out a weak sun as I stared into the sky above. The wind gently blew my long ponytail and I heard a soft nickering and something nudge me in the back. I cast my gaze onto General: the bay horse looked at me coolly with his chocolate brown eyes and blew out of his nose. I sighed quietly and ran a hand down his bushy mane. I didn't need to physically talk to him – my best guess was he completely understood.
General twisted his neck under my touched and placed his head near to my chest so it almost touched. I wrapped my arms around him and gently caressed his forelock, playing with a few strands between my fingers. We stood like this for a minute or so before the words flowed freely.
"Why? Why me, Gen? I'm not complaining or anything but... he could've just as easily chosen someone else. I have nothing against Kirby or Meta Knight – both of them are good souls, bless them, and Kirby is just as sweet as you, but – General, I... I'm confused. More than confused really. I'm confused, lost, worried, hopeless, the list goes on."
General dropped his head and blew out through his nose again. I threw the brush in the corner of the stable and, stroking his neck, lowered my voice to whisper in his ear.
"Gen... I don't know if I can do this. I don't know if I can look after Kirby. I mean, if Meta Knights has such high expectations of him, then..." I trailed off, looking deep into General's eyes and seeing my taut, pathetic expression staring back. I felt my eyes start to well up and the heat nibbled my lower eyelids.
General nickered sensitively at me and placed his head over my shoulder, brushing my face with his soft brow. I burrowed my face in his cheek and wished that time would stand still.
Well, there we go. I love writing comic Meta Knight moments - in the anime, he either makes crude remarks or pwns a character in some shape or form (so why does he get pwned by a door? XD) but I wanted to try some pantomime-like comedy on him as well. Lots of fun! Thank you for the reviews - all positive and encouraging. So yeah, keep readin' and reviewin'! :)
