Deryn's POV
Deryn stared desperately at Alek. His eyes were wide with disbelief. "Alek…" she began. But he stopped her with a hand. "Did everyone in the ship, except for us, turn into four year olds?" She glanced at the little kids surrounding them. "It appears they have."
One little girl was wearing a cocked bowler hat. She was sitting on top of a kid with a fencing foil, saying "I told you so". On little kid was wearing a sloppy middy tie, and screaming insults at a fabricated beastie. One was wearing a captain's hat, and was playing with a fake steering wheel. The others were playing a game of war. Deryn knew they had to do something, before a disaster started.
"Who here is hungry?" she yelled. The kids stopped for a second, stared at her, and simultaneously cried out "ME!" Deryn scooped up Dr. Barlow, and led the kids to the middies' mess hall. Alek followed her, and together, served apple sauce.
Before they knew it, it was night time. Not wanting to leave the children unattended, they found the biggest room and covered the floor with mattresses, blankets and pillows. Then came the task of actually putting everyone in bed. They found a whole room filled with stuffies. Alek distributed them to the kids, and Deryn wrestled them into bed. Just as she turned off the light, everyone screamed "Sing us a lullaby!" Alek and Deryn stared at each other, and tried to back out of it, but the kids had made up their mind.
"Dylan, I really can't sing." Alek whispered to her. Deryn gulped, and remembered being named the best female singer in all of Glasgow. "Exit the room, go to your own room, cover your ears, and I will come get you after." She muttered back. "After what?" he questioned. She chose not to answer him, and instead pushed him out the door.
She waited for his footsteps to go away, and turned to the large expectant eyes beneath her. "Okay, everyone. I will sing to you, as long as you don't tell anyone what you heard." She took a deep breath, and started to sing.
Alek's POV
Alek waited for Dylan to close the door, then crept back. He heard Dylan mutter something to the kids, then heard a beautiful female voice. Pressing his ear against the door, he listened closely to the words.
If that mockingbird won't sing, If that diamond ring turns brass, If that looking glass gets broke, If that billy goat won't pull, If that cart and bull turn over, If that dog named Rover won't bark, If that horse and cart fall down, So hush little baby, don't you cry,
Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring.
Mama's going to buy you a looking glass.
Mama's going to buy you a billy goat.
Mama's going to buy you a cart and bull.
Mama's going to buy you a dog named Rover.
Mama's going to buy you a horse and cart.
You'll still be the sweetest
Daddy loves you and so do I.
Alek heard a small sigh, and then gasped as the door snuck open. It knocked him over, and when he looked up, he found Dylan's glaring face looking down at him. He wondered who that girl was. He heard a coo from his shoulder, and looked down to see Bovril peering at him. "Mr. Sharp!" it exclaimed, then giggled. The gears inside Alek's head clicked into place. A secret, gruff voice, avoiding baths on a daily basis... Not knowing what to say, he gaped at him, or should he say her? Finally breaking the silence, Alek stuttered "What is your name?" Dylan closed her eyes, and whispered "Deryn". Alek thought back to all of his secrets. Deryn had always been there, and sure, she had a lot of nerve coming aboard, but she was still his best friend. The girl had paled, and finally cried out "Well, are you mad at me or not?" Alek shook his head. Shocked, yes. Confused, yes. But angry? Realizing he was still on the ground, he shakily stood up, and mustered up enough confidence to say "No. I promised you are my best friend, and it was going to come out sooner or later. I mean, you know all my secrets, so if I can't accept yours, what kind of friend does that make me?" A slow smile crept across her face, and together, they entered the snug room.
They slept on different sides of the room. Alek knew that something major was about to happen, but he didn't know what. For now, he was just going to try and steer this ship with out too many problems. With Deryn by his side.
Part two coming up soon! I don't know where to take this, so suggestions are very welcome!