Leif smiles, watching Charlotte and the other four pets chasing one another from the back porch steps. He has been an animal lover as long as he can remember, as they always bring love and joy into the lives of people, creating a bond that doesn't need words to be unbreakable. The boy is no misanthrope, but he always wonders why people have to mistreat them and take their love for granted so much!
Usually, Leif would join the Loud pets, especially considering he acts like an animal himself. To the point some Louds consider him their favorite animal, in a non-abusive way. But finds himself gently patting his feet into the mud close to the back porch steps and not in the usual energy found in even as small as playing with a mud ball. The Louds know this is a sign he is contemplating about something.
When he first met Linka at the park, back when the Louds was unaware of her 'Lincoln' disguise, all Leif thought was how much of a jerk he was. Someone who deserved to get beaten up and punished. Yet he pitied Linka upon seeing her hideout getting demolished and was even glad she accepted his mother's offer to stay at their house for a little while. Even though it later turns out she wasn't thinking clearly during that time, and would have rejected the offer.
Just like everyone else in the family, Leif was just as surprised when they discovered ' Lincoln's' true identity is actually a girl named Linka. He met plenty of tomboys during school and playing around in the parks, but her disguise was so convincing. Especially since her attitude was tough and not-so-nice, and also how she kept on acting the same after being found out.
Despite seeing how Linka is not above taking life after the fight between her and the Terrible Pedo Trio, Leif actually begins to look up at her as some kind of role model. Which would probably worry his parents due to having habits that are obviously suitable for a life without a home, but not for a life with one. But of course he wouldn't. Leif is already the boy who loves being dirty and playing rough.
Besides, he's aware of the high amount of the street children alone and always hoping to get a sense of what their life is like besides begging and starvation. So Linka was his chance to do it, but there were some aspects he didn't really expect. Such as doing crimes.
After Linka left the house with his mother's ornate box, all the admiration he had for her has drained away. Leif came back to thinking Linka is a thief who could harm his family, and outright a monster upon learning about her former participation in the mob. Although after some second thoughts, he realized she wouldn't do that. Unless they are attacking her themselves, like Linka said earlier this morning. Still, he could hardly believe Linka and possibly other street children are capable of stooping that low.
Leif heard the squeaky front door opening and wondered what's going on. But then he remembers overhearing Luke convincing Loki to allow him to take Linka to some music store. A batter of mixed feelings came across him about this. Some part of him was happy seeing Linka hanging out with one of the boys, but another believes Linka can't be trusted.
He doesn't know what to do, but Leif is sure it would be best to stay away from her. Who knows whether he will gain respect for her and soon it will all be lost again? Unfortunately luck isn't on his side, as Leif spotted her walking to the back porch.
The boy's chest tightened as he gave the street child a subtle glare. She seems to be good at picking up subtle cues, because Linka gave him an annoyed raised eyebrow.
"What?" she bluntly asked.
"Nothing. Why are you out in the background?" Leif tentatively responded.
"Thought I wouldn't have to deal with any talking with anyone here but looks like I am wrong," Linka
"Why do you have to be such a jerk?" Leif glared, moving himself away.
Linka shrugs, "The world's full of them. Get used to it,"
The boy made a low growl in response. However, he saw the pets walking up to her, causing Linka to move warily away from them. They, especially Charlotte, are looking at her tenderly. Like... they are concerned for her wellbeing, especially considering the bandages around her chest are easily visible from the orange tank-top she is wearing.
"Why are they coming up towards me? They seemed to forget about the fact I tried to intrude on the house," Linka pushed Charlotte and the cat away.
Leif, being an animal lover, understood well what this means. What makes them so special is their ability to connect with people and see their emotions.
"They are animals. Oh, and anyway, I didn't think you had the chance to know our pets' names, besides Charlotte. The cat is Chris, the hamster is Gia, and the bird is Wilms. Would you like to….. play with them?" Leif asks.
"… No," Linka muttered. The animals' heads drop a little in disappointment, but they persistently kept on cuddling on her legs.
He decided to at least try to interact with Linka upon seeing this. But Leif doesn't have much idea of what she could be interested. Then the memory of the Terrible Pedo Trio incident came across his mind.
Leif never stopped wondering with amazement how she has such nerves of steel to only act mildly surprised by Trixie bringing out the gun from her sweater. People don't call him the King of Risks for nothing, but he never once been at that level.
"There's one thing I am curious: How can you experience almost no fear at all?"
Linka snortles, "Well, I don't actually 'can't feel fear at all'. It's just that I mastered the art of controlling it. If I'm sure there's one,"
"You do? Aww that sucks... I many times wish there is no such thing as fear at all. Imagine how much fun people can have if that's possible," Leif said.
"So your idea of fun includes doing things like jumping into a fast car or walking into a place where a shootout is happening?" Linka sneers hastily.
"Hmm... Touche. But if fear prevents you from doing that kind of stuff, what are you afraid of?" Leif asked.
Linka scoffs quietly, "One thing for sure, I already have more serious things to fear then spiders or snakes,"
"Yeah, there's must be some things," Leif murmured.
"I don't see why they are so important. Besides, after a while, I got used to such scary things having a home protects you from," Linka responded.
"Mom always said that the strongest people are the people who are willing to admit their fears,"
"I am thinking you are spending a little too much time around whiny and timid people," Linka said.
"Hey... we are not!" Leif complained.
"Geez, can't you see I was joking. Besides, you guys seem a little too chaotic to be timid,"
Leif grumbled, no doubt reconsidering his attempt to at least be nice to her, seeing how Linka herself isn't. But his desire to learn how she is able to control her fear wouldn't let him slip, especially as this might be the only chance.
That was a bit of a lie. Sure, the part about getting used to such conditions is true, but she still scared. She's scared every day, not always knowing what can happen to her. Whether someone could rob, steal from, kidnap, or even kill her. Or get caught and sent to jail, despite being skilled in escaping things, or CPS catching her and get sent to a foster home. But most of all, the possibility of getting sent back to the hell of a place she was supposed to call 'home'.
If only Linka is more willing to admit her vulnerable side, she would tell them to Leif. But from where's she is around, fear is often seen as weakness. Though Leif and her mother said otherwise, they are just two middle-class people who never been around in the sketchier parts of life.
"Okay, I guess you're right. But how can you do that kind of thing?"
"I am not sure if you would actually need to learn that. Who knows what unnecessarily dangerous things you would do if you learn how to swallow your fear," Linka sat down on the back porch brick steps.
"Come on! I already do dangerous stuff like alligator wrestling and Go Kart racing!"
Linka stared at the little boy who seems oblivious to how weirded out she is, "Seriously, is the baby going to be grow up the only normal one out of them?" she thought.
"Sureeeeeee... If you really do that kind of stuff... I guess it wouldn't be much," the girl murmured.
"Yes!" Leif grins with glee as he punched his arm up in the air.
"Okay, first thing first, let's use one fear you already have. What is it?"
"Heights," the boy shuddered.
"Oh, so that explains why you didn't follow your older brother into jumping from roof to roof chasing me," Linka teased.
"No not that! It was... because I was too small!" Leif blushed furiously.
"Oh well then. Follow me," Linka smirked. Leif raised his eyebrow at this, but followed with no objections.
The two soon went up to the twins' bedroom. Thankfully, nobody, especially Lexx, is there. Linka walks to the window and opens it. The boy's body stiffened upon realizing what's she is doing.
"Wait, you are not going to jump off from the window," he stuttered.
"Yep," Linka casually responded.
"But..." she interrupted Leif.
"You basically asked me for this. Next time, be more careful of what you ask for. So what makes you so scared of heights?"
Leif glanced sideways, "Uh... the chance of falling down and getting injured... from being up somewhere so high,"
"So imagine yourself going through that," Linka prompted.
Leif widened his eyes, "Really? But I thought it's about swallowing it, not imagining yourself going through it,"
"Exactly. That's a trap most people have fallen through. It's not about trying to keep your fear away, it's actually about getting used to it. You will have to visualize every detail of what would happen if your fear comes true,"
"Every detail? Even getting injured after falling?" Leif's body shaken over saying that.
Linka nods. She can tell how uncomfortable the boy is but doesn't know how to calm it. The girl is more used to talking to others in an unfriendly way, and sometimes even threatening. But comforting someone is not something she's very experienced with.
"Yes. Take a gun, for an example. I imagine the way how there's a cold metal bullet inside it, pointing directly towards my head or vital organs, how heavy and cold it must be for the person pointing it to me. The amount of pain I would have if they were shot somewhere else, like my arms or legs. And also how my dead body would look like if I was shot. Every detail I could think of, until I no longer can feel threatened by the image,"
The boy stared at Linka, rather stunned that thinking of your fears happening in your mind could make you less afraid. So that's how Linka was able to be only mildly surprised over seeing Trixie's gun pointing up to her head?
"Your turn. Think of everything that could happen if you fall. Like your feet slipping out, the wind going up to your body,
Leif meekly nodded, trying his best to do what Linka instructed her.
"Are the images clear in your head?" Linka softly asked.
"Yeah, I do," he said silently.
"Good, now for the fear confrontation part,"
"Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, I can just walk across a bridge,"
"Good point, but the less intimidating it is, the longer it will take to stop the fear. Let me demonstrate," Linka took several steps back from the window.
Leif silently let out a gasp, "Wait Linka, you are not..."
Too late, she runs to the window and jumps out, with Leif rushing over to see what could happen. The girl landed on the front grass, kinda like how the non-super-powered vigilantes lands from TV shows. Not surprisingly, Leif's mouth became entirely agape seeing how flawlessly Linka has jumped from a two-story house. He wondered how she developed such athletic skill when Linka no doubt doesn't always know when will the next time she will eat be.
Linka turns up at Leif's window with a satisfied smirk, "Okay, your turn,"
"Are you sure? I am the King of Risks, but even I am worried about doing this," Leif pointed out timidly.
Linka shrugs, although she herself is a little concerned about this, especially about how the family might react to this, "Your choice. I won't force you. But you should still keep the images in your mind in case you will come across your fear again,"
The boy looked at her nervously. And soon his thrill-seeking itch has gotten stronger than his worries, which never happened when it comes to his fear of heights. Soon he went back to the images Linka had instructed to put in his mind, and very soon, his body became completely relaxed after a while. The shiver that comes whenever Leif thinks of heights has drowned away slowly.
He took a deep breath and took several steps back. Leif is trying hard to think more of the falling image instead of the window itself. Without realizing it, the boy sprinted towards the window, and jumped, and didn't even scream.
Linka catches him, and Leif remained silent for a few moments, his face not shuddering in the slightest, "How was it?"
"It felt... actually good. I can't feel fear in the smallest," he said in a out of focused gaze. Linka smirks as he puts him down.
"Great, but just because you learn how to handle your fears doesn't mean you should do anything reckless. Though it was a little stupid for me to use a second-story window," she shook her head a little.
Leif nods, "I promise I won't,"
The duo walked back into the house as quick as they can so Leif's family members would be suspicious. Unfortunately their luck of not seeing Lexx has ended, as he appeared almost out of nowhere from the kitchen.
"Hey, Leif. I need you to help me memorize Broadway's common famous lines so people can see how much of a talented actor I am," he asked in a tone that isn't commonly used when asking others for help.
His twin scowled, "Come on. I am getting tired of you and your Broadway crap. Can't you focus on something else for once?"
"At least I actually have something important to do! What do you do? Play in the mud or fix icky pipes?" Lexx insulted.
"You know what? I would rather be with Linka instead of you. Sure, she is also a bit of a jerk, but at least not a bossy snob who constantly fusses over his appearance!"
Lexx looked at his twin as if he has said the stupidest thing in the universe, "What!? You would rather spend time with her? But she's a total meanie who doesn't care about anyone but herself! I treat everyone, especially my family with respect,"
"I am thinking someone is going through the case of 'hatred obliviousness' here. I admit that I am no saint, but you're kinda describing yourself instead of me," Linka remarked.
"But it's not my fault I am the only innocent angle in a bunch of vulgar scoundrels! Besides, you disguising yourself as a boy is one of the greatest sins out there!" Lexx pointed at Linka.
Linka stood silently, staring at him with shock. Is... Lexx saying that disguising herself as a boy is… a great sin? When she did it to protect herself from certain predators and people wouldn't underestimate her?
For almost a minute, silence crept throughout the house, save for Lexx yelling out for her attention. Most of the family members who can hear his yelling came to the living room to see what's going on. They tried their best to not show themselves so they can understand the situation better.
"Hey Linka! For the 50th time, I am talking to you! It's rude to not answer to someone! When will you learn to treat a prince with respect!?" Lexx shouted, and once again Linka hadn't responded.
"Linka...? Are you... okay?" Leif asked in a softer tone. The other Louds kept on waiting for Linka to respond, with Rita almost unable to resist the urge to check to see if she's going through a stroke.
Finally, Linka answered. At first, it was only some stutters but soon it changed to muffled chuckling, then sniggering, to cackling, and eventually outright laughing aloud. So hard, it's a surprise she didn't fall on and started hitting the floor while holding on to her stomach.
"What's so funny?" Lexx demanded. but deep down, he is also creeped out by her laughing.
"... I just find it real rich. You're saying cutting my hair into a shorter hairstyle, wearing used boys' clothes, and only keeping the first three letters of my name when I changed it, something sinful? Still playing the Proper Lady Behavior Sheriff, when you are not even eight years old?"
"Hey! Don't talk to me like that! That's because I know I'm more mature than all of my brothers combined," Lexx snarled pompously. If the boys weren't so confused by her laughing, they would have beaten the hell up out of Lexx.
"Yeah, right. The resemblance is uncanny," Linka shook her head with a smug smirk.
The Louds who are watching what's going on in the living room resisted the urge to ask what does Linka mean. Resemblance? Uncanny? Luckily for them, Lexx is thinking the same thing.
"What are you babbling about?"
"You know, it just that you remind me of someone. A total bastard I used to know. Because you two are quite similar in a lot of ways," Linka puts her hand together as she sat on the couch chair with a relaxed demeanor.
"There's no way I would be like some lowlife hooligan!" Lexx exclaimed, not realizing who's Linka actually referring to and neither do any of the others.
Linka scoffs, "No, not that kind of person. Someone who... shares a little blood with me. Even though I would rather not be born at all,"
"Not born at all? Do you mean... like your dad?" Leif stammered.
"Yeah, that. Let's just go by that," Linka said.
The family's skin starts crawling up, as this is the first time her father is being mentioned. Actually, Linka seems to be avoiding the word 'father', instead with two tense "that"s. They saw her reacting to how Lexx insulted her mother, so what did her father do that pushed Linka away to the streets of Royal Woods?
"I don't see what does your dumb daddy have to do with this!" Lexx shook his head.
"You are right. He is dumb, but perhaps so are you,"
"You are making no sense at all!"
"Lemme ask you a question. Where did all this 'proper young lady behavior' bullshit came from?"
"Duh! From watching TV, what other boys told me, and also how the girls in theater are supposed to act!" Lexx's head starts turning red seeing how Linka is treating him.
"That's it? Because of what you saw or been told? Sure... a lot of people's opinions are influenced because of these, but rather ridiculous if you ask me," Linka shook her head.
"So you are insulting me just because my opinions are the only ones that are right!?" Lexx snarled.
"Huh, that's another similarity. Well, I have an opinion of my own. I do remember you calling me a psychopath a few times yesterday and earlier this morning. Just because I am willing to take a life? Here's the thing: life's full of gambles,"
"Why are you philosophising about gambles?" Leif raised his eyebrow.
"Especially when everyone knows how much of a stupid person you are!" Lexx insulted. Linka chuckles, more amused than insulted, which gets under Lexx's skin.
"Like I told Luke, I do have a few limits. So I find taking a life for the stake of it a completely unnecessary gamble and waste of time. I wouldn't do that at all. However, there's one person I am truly willing to kill out of complete vengeance, and it's him,"
All the Louds' jaw dropped, even Leon's. Did her father mistreated her so much, he is the only person Linka would kill out of spite or vengeance? If that's so, then it must be on a deep level, and possibly could earn much more than the worst father of the year award.
"I know you are still six years old but I wonder what your life would be like when you become an adult... and also, a parent. Particularly a daughter. You did make a few comments about how you are a prince who doesn't belong in a family with some financial troubles, didn't you?"
"Yeah, I did..." Lexx murmured. Usually he would rant on about this, but the boy is too shocked by Linka being willing to kill her own father to do so.
"Then it got to be some kind of coincidence. Because you are exactly what I would be like if I was born as a boy. Which makes me wonder if you are actually an adopted boy whom he abandoned. You are sort of... a mini version of him,"
The boys observed Linka carefully. Her expression and tone are serene, yet obviously meant to be taunting... and somewhat hateful. The hate is subtle but you look deep enough, it could burn the entire town down with one glance.
"... But why are you wondering about my adult life?" Lexx asked.
"I just hope you won't end up having a daughter who disappeared from your life because she would rather be in the streets then go through another day with you, and probably would be willing to kill you. Which can take a deep amount of mistreatment to make her feel that," Linka snorted, before sitting up and walking to the kitchen? Before then, she intentionally bumped through Lexx, which caused him to almost fall on the floor.
On most occasions, Lexx would make a huge fit about being disrespected like that. Enormous enough to scare his family to death. But what Linka said... his body is screaming with curiosity about her words.
Rita took a deep breath and turns to her husband, "Lynn, I think we need to talk in our room,"
This is the first time Rita has talk to him without a cold tone, so Lynn Sr. is willing to take this chance to talk to her about his guilt over slapping Linka.
"Alright," he tightly nodded. The parents walked in their bedrooms, leaving their sons to wonder about Linka's words.
Rita closed the door and sealed it shut, before turning to her husband, "Can you believe the words Linka had said? Not just the killing out of vengeance part but also about her hope Lexx wouldn't have a daughter who would rather live in the streets then be with him?"
Lynn Sr. pursed his lips, "Yes, dear. And also how she seemed to avoid using the word 'father'. As if she doesn't see him as one at all,"
"Okay, given this is the first time we heard about her father, we should get a few things of what he could be like from what Linka had said," Rita stated.
"Well, she did said Lexx is sorta a mini-version of him. So I suggest we can think from what Lexx is like," Lynn said.
"We do know he dreams of becoming a celebrity actor, both on television and on Broadway. You think her father could be some celebrity actor?" she suggested.
"No, otherwise Lexx would tell us about it, given he's always talking about the latest Broadway news and gossip," Lynn rebuked.
"So it must be his personality. She did say thinking they are better than everyone else is a similarity between them," Rita said.
"Other possible things could be obsessed with keeping a good image, thinks they are too good for the life he is in now, and not to mention a misogynist. We really need to deal with the last one though," Lynn Sr. listed.
"I agree. But it sounds like her father mistreated her just because of her gender. Especially of how she said Lexx is what she would be like if Linka was born a boy,"
Rita sighs, "I am not liking this. The picture is getting worse the more it starts adding up. But I wonder what's with her mother. Linka is also unwilling to talk about her. It sounds like her father was the one who mistreated her, but is there a chance her mother did something as well?"
Lynn nods briskly, but Rita noticed he is gazing down at the floor sadly, "Lynn? Is anything alright?"
He sighs, "It's just that I been feeling guilty about slapping her. Especially after she admitted of explaining the real reasons why she left the house,"
Rita sat on the bed next to him, "Listen, Lynn. I am still mad at you for ruining our chance to help her, but I get it now. You were trying to protect our sons from any harm. But she's a child who can't give out any harm at all,"
"It's not just that. All the times I treated her as someone who can't be trusted and a troublemaking thief. Even if she really is one. Now all I want to do is make up for it," Lynn Sr. puts his palms on her face.
Rita pats his back, "It will take some time, dear,"
Back at the dining room, Linka is leaning on a chair near the grown up table, drinking a glass of lemonade with a small yet satisfied smirk. The boys are still standing in the living room, trying to understand the words she said to Lexx. Finally, Lynn Jr. was the first to regain his senses and stormed towards her.
"What did you mean by you hoping Lexx would have a daughter who had ran away from him because she would rather be in the streets then with him?" he confronted.
Linka gives a slight scowl, "Isn't it obvious? I did say the resemblance between them is uncanny,"
"But you can't just insult him like that! Implying a six-year-old that he could end up as an abusive dad. Real low of you!" Lynn Jr. growled.
"I was just giving him a few words about decency. Considering how undisciplined he is,"
"Hey! Nobody messes with him unless it involves us choosing our own way to discipline him!"
"And from the looks of it, you are doing a rather bang-up job," Linka shrugs.
"What's the big deal with you?" Lynn snarled.
"Oh, so now you asking me? I am an eleven-year-old with nothing that you take for granted, going by my own rules. And besides, it's obvious this whole 'stay at your house' thing won't last long, just like before I tried to leave the house,"
"That maybe true, Linka. But we are a family who wouldn't just outright kick you out!" Loki stormed in.
"Well, I do have a few ideas of the excuses you have to bring me out of the house. Like luck,"
"What are you talking about?" Lynn Jr. puts his hands on his hips.
"Come on, I saw all those good luck amulets while intruding the house. If each of them is worth $20, every homeless person in this town would have a full stomach. So I am guessing it would go like this: Lynn would have an important sports game and I would be dragged so you guys can keep an eye on me. But whatever teams he is in have lost and he would call me 'bad luck' because this is the first time he has lost in a while. I go along with it so I can get peace and quiet but very soon, you guys kick me out of the house so my 'bad luck' won't spread of you guys,"
The boys' jaw dropped. Does she really think they would kick her out like that? Even the superstitious sore loser Lynn Jr. is not dumb enough to just accuse someone of being bad luck. Is she that mistrustful of them?
"We would, like, never do that!" Loni proclaimed.
Linka shrugs, "It's just a fantasy. But it just that... Well, I saw the way you guys act at times,"
To them, what she said is Linka's polite way of saying "You guys can be total dumb asses". But there is no way they could do such a thing. Sure, they have their own flaws as a family, but they always stood for each other.
"But Linka, do you really think we are capable of doing that? Why are you so... mistrustful?" Luke gently asked.
Linka stood silent, as she didn't see this question, "Because... everyone can be have hidden motives, not just the people who live around the streets,"
"So that's it? Because you had come across plenty of shady, untrustworthy people before?" Luke responded in a quiet yet angry voice.
The boys watched Linka reacted. Several of the boys yelled at her before, and she didn't seem to be affected much by them. Yet when Luke is speaking in a quiet but furious voice, she is completely silent, and seems to have no idea of how to respond to it.
"Look, your grandfather really wants me to at least give you guys a chance but frankly, I not sure if that's really possible. Considering how I am not that adopted girl I keep hearing about," Linka crossed her shoulders. Not before walking outside.
The boys stood there, deciding whether they should follow her. But then they realized that it must have taken a lot of effort for her to just talk about her father, even if it's indirect and was to spite Lexx.
Sorry that the chapter got published longer than the others. Virtual school is starting to get rather stressful and is making me tired all the time, and plus losing the time and motivation to keep up with my 2,000 words a day deadline. I guess it wouldn't hurt if I just decrease the number of words deadline but I am going to do my best to get more energy.
Alsp, ignore the reviews I wrote. For some reason, none of the reviews from the last chapter showed up in a little while, and it seems like I was not the only one with the problem. Thankfully the problem has gotten fixed but given I can't remove my own reviews, you will just have ignore it.
Imagine meeting a mini version of someone you have a deep resentment towards them, and in Linka's case, it's Lexx for Aaron. As they both have a lot of similarities between them, to the point there's actually quite a chance of Linka joking about Lexx's possible daughter becoming true.
For the No Such Luck reference, I am going to say this: In this AU, the episode never happened. Nuuo suggested Lars could replace Lincoln's role in it and Linka would reason against it. And even if it really happened to Linka, it would be pointless because in this universe, she already has gotten used to not having a roof over her head, so it wouldn't effect her much besides deep bitterness. Also, this version of Linka is the type of girl who wouldn't hesitate to go back at mistreatment, more than the canon Lincoln is.
Anyway, keep in tune for the next chapter! Story has just gotten up to 10,300 views!