"An Act to Follow"
Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda or anything! Please don't sue me! *runs away*
*****
Author's Notes: OK, just clearing a few things up. Whee. Timbre's species - okay, race - is 'Wolf.' They are nearly identical to regular humans (or Hylians if you want to call them that, I use the two terms interchangeably, bad me), but they have the ability to become wolves at will. Unfortunately, people often mistake transformed wolves for Wolfos, since the two strongly resemble each other. So people, being rather ignorant, hate wolves and try to kill them. Of course, not many people are aware that wolves can become human, so some have managed to survive. I hope that makes more sense. If not, I apologize.
*****
Last time on "An Act to Follow:"
He was just turning the sharp corner when his flight was stopped rather abruptly by a tall silhouette that Timbre literally collided with headfirst. He wasn't a full grown wolf by far, and the impact sent him bouncing back onto his tail with a yelp. Dazed, he stared helplessly up at the huge figure looming over him.
*****
An Act to Follow - Part 4: Dance lessons aren't a forte, especially if you're a klutz
Timbre's four legs were apparently turning to gelatin, as they began to wobble without control. So this was it, he was going to die.
"So this is it, I'm going to die," he said - okay - whimpered to himself humorlessly, staring up at the figure which was now bending over.
Any second now there would be the flash of a sword, and it would be all over. Squeezing his eyes shut, Timbre prepared for the end.
The end never came (A/N: You didn't really think I'd kill him off 4 chapters in, did you?!). Opening one eye, he wondered what the person was waiting for.
"You are not going to die," the figure said in a rather quiet male voice.
"Oh no, this is definitely the end," Timbre argued. "There's most likely guards behind me, you're in front of me, and I'm currently cowering on the ground. Let's face it here, I'm a gon…er?" The wolf-speak trailed off idly as something rather odd stuck Timbre.
As a wolf, he couldn't speak human language. But this shadow hadn't only not killed him, he'd also understood his cowardly babbling. In fact, the wolf thought in retrospect, that voice sounds awfully familiar…
"Kas?" He asked hopefully.
Kasumi just blinked. "…"
Timbre could have laughed aloud with relief. Definitely Kasumi. Ty's pacific older brother had a gift for language, and could speak to and understand most living things. He also had a habit of showing up right when he was really needed. Some older brothers are like that. Kasumi had an overabundance of the color gray - including but not limited to - his hair, his eyes, and his cloak. It gave one the mysterious impression that he wasn't wholly there all the time.
Noises, and loud metallic clanking from behind them caused both of them to look up.
"The guards are coming," Kas said simply.
Looking behind him, Timbre noted they weren't quite visible yet. Good. An instant later, the perfectly normal (if not somewhat short) human boy Timbre picked himself up, brushing the grime off of his black shirt and blue canvas pants.
Two members of the Clock Town Guard arrived an instant later with a good deal of clattering. "Ho there!"
Timbre put on an innocent face as Kasumi quirked an eyebrow. "Aye?"
"Heard anything suspicious?" The first guard grated.
"A crash or two, and dogs barking," Timbre offered with a shrug.
The second guard trained his gaze on the ten-year-old. "What's a lad like you doing in a deserted street? Aren't you supposed to be at the festival? Where's your mother?"
Timbre flinched.
A third guard arrived and saluted to the second guard. "Captain!"
The Captain seemed to forget the two civilians existed. "Anything to report?"
In a quiet village like Clock Town, there wasn't a lot of real crime. Sure, there was the random petty thievery, and occasional squabbles, but nothing too bad. As a result, many of the Guard found any kind of questionable action worth a great deal of scrutiny. The guard saluted again. "We found tracks, sir."
Now it was Timbre's turn to quirk an eyebrow.
"Tracks, you say…" the Captain mused, as if interested.
"In the dust, sir."
"Dust?"
"Fairy dust, sir."
Timbre suddenly wished his nose hadn't been so ticklish. His sneeze had probably sent Tatl's dust swirling everywhere.
"Fairy dust?! Tracks?! If that Skullkid and his cronies are up to their old tricks again-"
"Sir, pardon me, but those tracks weren't from shoes."
"Oh?" The Captain stroked his chin. "So."
"Paw prints, sir?"
"Paw prints!" The Captain scoffed.
"Aye sir. Big ones."
"How big?"
"Like a dog's, only a mite larger."
Swallowing his stomach down again, Timbre chanced a hasty glance at his gloved hands. Sure enough, they had generous sparkles of fairy dust. He tried to be inconspicuous as he hastily wiped his palms on his pants. The Captain was too busy being interested in other things to notice.
"Surely you don't think-"
"No, couldn't be Wolfos prints, sir. Besides, how would something like that get into town, only to vanish again?"
The Captain suddenly whirled on Kasumi and Timbre. "You two!"
Kas looked impassively at the Captain. "Yes sir?"
"You see anything suspicious run by here?"
Kasumi was a horrible liar, so he told the truth. "No sir. No Wolfos, if that is what you mean."
The Captain furrowed his brow. "How about you, boy?"
Timbre flinched again. "No, no Wolfos, sir."
The Captain was about to ask them if they were sure when his gaze leveled with Kas's passive gray eyes. Breathing out, he finally just said, "Go on."
Kasumi and Timbre needed no second bidding.
South Clock Town had all but deserted. The show was over, and most people had made their way home, or to the Inn if they weren't locals. As soon as Kas and Tim showed their faces, they were nearly tackled down by Kat, Sond, and the rest of the group.
"Where have you been, Tim? We were worried."
Ty grinned. "Hi Kas."
The twenty year old blinked. "Hello Ty." He stood awkwardly for a moment, before turning. "Got to go," He said vaguely. "I'll see you all again." Then he was gone.
"Just like fog on the water." Kafei handed Timbre back his trenchcoat. "Here ya go."
Link yawned, stretching. "Have you heard about the accident yet? Something knocked a crate over in West Clock Town. Heard the guards talking about it." Link opened one eye in mid-stretch, casting a humorous gaze upon the culprit.
"Eheh…" Timbre scratched the back of his head. "Fancy that."
Eight pairs of eyes turned on the boy. Nothing was said immediately, but eventually the awkward silence was broken. "Uh…That wasn't you by any chance?" Kat offered delicately, keeping her voice down.
Timbre sweatdropped. "Eh…heheh…" He cowered under a sudden multitude of glares. "Whaat?"
Kafei rolled his eyes. "Told you snooping gets you in trouble. Just consider yourself lucky they didn't find you out."
"Yeah," Link added. "Too many slipups, and snap!" Timbre flinched as the blond boy snapped his fingers. "The guards could have a rather interesting throw-rug in their future." Ignoring glowers, he yawned again. "Well, one day of the Festival over, two more to go. And still no retribution. Must be losing your touch, eh Ty?"
"Don't hold your breath, Fairy Boy," Ty said, his tail bristling.
"Home. Sleep. Now." Kat didn't feel like a late-night brawl at this point. She started prodding everyone towards East Clock Town.
Kafei's parents had been kind enough to offer their son's friends lodgings for the Festival. As it was, Kafei wasn't too sure they had realized he had this many friends. Although this caused for somewhat cramped quarters, it would have been impolite to decline. Eight kids in one bedroom was possible, if slightly difficult.
The group was now walking past the Stock Pot Inn, towards the Mayor's residence., The whole area was illuminated by the torches which were scattered here and there, so that late wanderers wouldn't trip over themselves in the dark. Timbre was idly gazing at the sky in the back of the group. His meandering slowed as his sharp eyes caught a lone figure quietly sitting by itself on the roof of the Stock Pot Inn. Whoever it was also had their head turned skywards as well. Squinting, he was just able to make out enough features, thanks to the nearby illumination. It was that girl from the magic act, Tejina. She rested both arms on her knees, chin raised slightly. Timbre blinked twice, looking confused.
What's she doing up there this time of night? He wondered.
At this, she seemed to suddenly flinch, and her gaze quickly locked onto his own, mirroring his own confused expression. For a moment, Timbre was sure he'd gotten that funny chill up his spine again. Tejina's brow slowly unforrowed, and the feeling went away. Boy and girl stared at each other expressionlessly.
Then, almost at the exact same time, both of them shrugged, and looked away. The spell was broken. Timbre chewed his lip, suddenly noticing his friends had left him behind. He was forced to jog to catch up with them, all thoughts of the small girl on the roof jogged out of his mind at the same time.
**
"GOOOOOOD MORNING!!!" yelled a voice, a Cucco crowing at the same time. Sond threw open the curtains, filling the bedroom with golden morning light.
"Ughhh…" Link groaned, sitting up groggily. His hat wasn't on and his hair was messy. He opened one bleary eye, seeing Sond sitting in front of him with a big grin on her face. "Whaa?"
Nick groaned, sitting up. The redhead stretched, then flinched as the light hit his face.. "Th' liiiight…Blindin' me. Warn us b'fore ya do that, ok?"
"What time is it?" Kat yawned, squinting.
"Eight in the morning!" Sond said cheerfully.
Ty rubbed his eyes. "Why so early? It isn't like we have to save the world today or anything…"
"Don't hold your breath," Kafei muttered. He was already awake, being an early riser. Pulling his other boot on, he added, "There's supposed to be dancing all day."
"Like performances?" Kat sat up, rubbing a hand through her hair, which resembled a bush at the moment.
"Well, yeah, but there's also live music and stuff, so regular people can dance and stuff."
"Ooh!" Kat and Sond looked at each other with wide eyes.
Chiron poked his head through the doorway, interested.
"Hear that, Tim?" Sond prodded the prone form still in its sleeping bag.
"Goway." A gloved hand snatched a nearby blanket and rolled over.
Kat sniffed. "Grump. We're not letting you sleep all day. Otherwise you'll be up all night."
"That's the point." Timbre's voice came, muffled.
Sond raised an eyebrow. "If you don't get up now, Kat and I are going to get an big bucket of water and dump it on your head. See if that doesn't wake you up."
Timbre flung the blanket aside, glaring from behind tousled raven hair. "Fine. Sheesh. I'm up." Chiron and Kafei snickered. "What's so funny?" he snapped.
"Your hair." Chiron pointed out. "It's sticking out all over the place."
Timbre gave his head a shake, before retrieving his green headband and tying his unruly hair back. "I can't help it, that's just the way it is sometimes."
"Oh yeah," Kafei said, as if nothing had happened. "There's supposed to be fireworks too. Tonight, after dark."
"That sounds neat," Timbre said. "What do we do until then?"
"Dancing?!" Timbre's voice was incredulous. "But it's barely 10 in the morning!" The group meandered into South Clock Town, where already some musicians were warming up their instruments on stage.
"Relax. The performances go until noon, then free dance starts after one. You'll be plenty awake." Kat stared ahead. "Hey, our seats from last night are still open!"
"But I don't wan-" Timbre sighed as he was ignored.
Sitting around the crates, Sond pulled out her deck of cards. "Card game, anyone?"
"Sure!" Ty sat down. After a moments thought, he added. "Not poker, though."
"And especially not strip poker." Link added. (A/N: This fic's rated G, people. XP)
"'Course not! We're playing War." Sond shuffled the cards.
"Ah. 'Kay, I'm in." Nick sat down, cross-legged.
Everybody eventually joined in the card game. In the background, South Clock Town slowly filled up as the dance performers flaunted their talents in the square. The accompanying music was lively. There were three musicians, a flutist, a lutist, and a portly man with a drum.
Everyone groaned as Ty won the hand with an Ace of Spades.
"This is like the tenth time in a row you've won! I could've sworn this deck only had four aces…You'd better not be slipping cards, monkey boy." Link narrowed his eyes. The milkshake and revenge swearing had not been forgotten.
"I don't need to cheat!" Ty said, puffing up his chest.
Kat shook her head. "Everything's a competition with those two…"
Kafei won the next hand. Idly glancing up at the sky, he suddenly frowned. "Uh-oh…"
"What?" Chiron looked up too. "Oh great."
The sky was quickly turning overcast.
"It had better not rain," Sond said.
Kat looked uneasy. "Anyone else getting a weird déjà vu feeling right now? I mean, remember the three days before the Carnival of Time?"
Timbre chewed his lip. "First day it was hot and sunny, the second day it was overcast rained, and the third-"
"And the third day the moon was scheduled to crash." Link finished. "Yeah, we all remember, we only lived through those days like what, a hundred times." He snorted. "Don't worry. The curse on the moon's gone. It isn't going anywhere."
"Hope you're right…" Kat remarked, looking back down at the game of cards.
Lunchtime came and went, and the group eventually abandoned their card game for food. It luckily hadn't started to rain, but it remained darkly overcast. This was fortunate in that it wasn't quite so warm out as it had been the previous day. But, as Nick reflected, it could have some negative outcomes as well.
"No fireworks if th' clouds remain, y'know," he said over his second bowl of chili.
"That's true. I really hope that isn't the case," Kafei said. "Mom booked those fireworks in huge advance, it would make her really angry."
Everyone shuddered. Madame Aroma was not a pleasant person when her anger was riled. It was wise to keep clear of the overbearing Mayor's wife during such times.
Off in the distance, the clock boomed, once. One o'clock.
"Ya know what that means!" Sond crowed, jumping up and hurrying towards the clock. "Whee!"
Nick, Link, Chiron, and Ty looked at each other. Wordlessly they followed.
Kat sighed, looking at Kafei. "I have a feeling another 'competition' is going to come up. You coming?"
Kafei nodded. Timbre stood impassively to the side.
Kat glanced at him. "You're coming too."
"But I really don't want to-" Timbre sighed. "Fine. I'll come. But just to watch, you hear?"
By the time they had reached South Clock Town, the crowds had already thickened. They weren't as bad as they had been, but it was still troublesome. It appears many had the same idea that Timbre had, and were simply there to watch. Wordlessly, the trenchcoated boy hopskipped over to 'their spot' near the Deku Salesman's flower. Clambering up onto one of the empty crates, he slumped against the wall, arms crossed.
Kat snorted. "What a stick in the mud." Even as she spoke, the musicians started a new song. "Kafei, you wanna dance?" She asked.
Kafei blinked. "Um, sure!"
Nearby several familiar voices argued.
"I asked her first, Fairy Boy!"
"No, I did, monkey!"
"Y'both wrong, was me!!"
"I asked!"
Nick, Chiron, Link, and Ty were in the middle of a heated argument over who got to dance with Sond, much to the amusement of the crowd. Rolling her eyes, Kat walked over, still holding Kafei by the wrist.
"You don't know how to dance!"
"Nah-uh, you're the one who's the klutz!"
"Oh yeah?!"
"Yeah!"
"Guys!" Kat nearly screeched. "I've a better idea. Instead of wasting your time arguing, why don't you just all take turns?"
"Oh. Okay." Four voices chorused.
Sond smiled at the thought.
Leading Kafei out into the square, Kat commenced dancing wordlessly.
Behind them, the five-way dance was turning into quite an interesting spectacle. Ty was the first up dancing. But barely two steps in, he was sent flying by a hip-check from Link.
"My turn!" Link yelled. Two seconds later he was displaced by Chiron.
"Now my turn!"
Nick displaced him a moment later. "Gotcha all beat!" Ty took over again before he'd even finished talking.
This crazy and fast-paced turntaking almost turned into a dance by itself, as the subsequent bumpings and displacements came perfectly to the beats of the upbeat music. The observers were holding their sides, trying hard not to fall down laughing. Because through it all, Sond was beaming.
As the song ended, the four competitors were lying in a tired heap. Dazed, Ty opened his eyes as all four of them received a thunderous applause from the audience.
"Wow, they like me! They really like me!" Ty quipped, waving to the crowd.
"No they didn't! They're all applauding me! They can't get enough of my dance skills!" Link jumped up and took a bow, grinning.
"Not so fast now!" Both Nick and Chiron jumped up.
"Me! They're cheering me!"
"No, me!"
"Me!"
Kafei and Kat sweatdropped. Sond, on the other hand, was still grinning. "That was fun!" She said, not tired at all from the crazy dance.
In the back, Timbre raised an eyebrow. "That," he said to himself, "Was the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life."
"Hello!" A voice suddenly piped up next to him.
"Gah!" Timbre clutched his chest as his heart suddenly raced. Turning his head, he found himself staring into a pair of light blue eyes. Flailing, he quickly scooted off of the crate. "You scared me!" He accused the intruder, feeling foolish.
It was Tejina. Somehow she'd managed to get up on the crate with him without his knowledge. Smiling, she slid off the crate, taking a step towards Timbre. The boy took a step backwards. Tejina wasn't wearing her costume from yesterday. Her simple green dress today was much less flashy and her bluish hair was pulled back in a simple twist, rather than a braid. Timbre also noticed she was wearing one full black glove on her left hand. She measured up the boy in the trenchcoat with a mock critical eye.
"We're about the same height," she said suddenly. "That's neat. Usually the boys I meet are too tall."
Timbre made a neutral sound. "That's nice. Er, I gottago," he said suddenly, backing away.
"Leaving so soon? We haven't even introduced ourselves yet! I'm Tejina, Tee for short!" She grinned, taking another step forward. "But you probably already know that," she added.
Timbre blinked. "Um. Timbre. Nice to meet you."
Tee grinned. "Timbre, eh? So, Timbre, do you want to dance?"
"Uh, I dunno, I don't really daaaaaaaa-!!!" His excuse faded into a wail of dismay as Tejina suddenly lunged for his wrist. A moment later she was dragging him towards the dancing floor, his left wrist held fast in her ungloved hand. Digging his heels in, Timbre flailed with his free hand as audience members guffawed at his pleas. "Please no! I don't know how to dance! I'm a klutz, really!"
"Nonsense. I'll teach you how." The girl said without turning her head. "Good, a new song's just starting. You ready?"
"No!"
"Well, for one thing, you have to be facing the right way." She quickly spun Timbre around, who slumped, resigned to his horrible fate. "Second, you stand like this for balance." She stood with her feet a foot apart, and Tim slowly copied her. "And third, you go with the music, starting with the right foot. You got that?"
"Uhh…" The music started with a flourish before that thought could finish. Timbre suddenly found himself whirling around. Tejina was a fast and good dancer, and he suddenly felt rather dizzy. As they spun, Tejina winked.
"Now isn't this more fun, Timbre?"
Timbre groaned. He was afraid if he talked he'd be sick. He wasn't sure if this girl was trying to murder him or what, but he hoped the music would soon come to an end. With a sudden alacrity, Tejina stopped the spin. Timbre suddenly found himself standing perfectly still while Tejina twirled under his outstretched hand like a top. The crowd applauded its approval.
Her spin finished, Tejina immediately picked up the pace again. "Say, I couldn't help but noticing that funny mark across your left eye. Issat a tattoo or something?"
"No, I was born with it!" Timbre grated between his teeth. People tended to ask him what was with that birthmark of his, and it now annoyed him. The pit in his stomach had slowly faded, although he still refused to enjoy this crazy female's idea of 'fun'.
"Oh, neat!" Tee remarked. "Here comes the final part of this song!"
Thank goodness! The boy thought. I didn't think I could last much longer.
"You ready for this? Hope so!!" With a flick of her wrist, she suddenly sent Timbre spinning. As the music came to a close, she let go, and the boy spun out of control. Just as the music stopped, Timbre landed on his butt with an 'oof.'
The crowd cheered as Tejina took a bow. Winded, Timbre staggered to his feet, feeling exceptionally dizzy. "Some dance lesson!" He half-heartedly waved as the crowd applauded. Breathing a sigh of relief, he suddenly noticed his hair was in his face again. Brushing it back, he suddenly realized his headband was missing.
Not finding it on the ground, he looked over at his dance partner. "Tejina??"
But Tee was quickly trotting away, off of the dance floor. Something green was dangling from her right wrist.
Nearby, Kat and Kafei were still laughing their heads off as Ty and Nick looked impressed.
"You have to admit, that girl knew her moves. Tim's not so bad himself."
"Aw, I could do that." Link said. "Easy."
"She dropped him righ' on his bum at th' end though. I wonder if on purpose…" Nick mused, rubbing his chin. "Still, didn' know th' lobo knew 'ow t' dance."
"Yeah," Chiron agreed. "Oops, there she goes. Guess she's got business elsewhere."
Everybody blinked as Timbre suddenly jumped up, and ran after Tejina, yelling, "Hey! You give that back, you little thief!!"
There was an awkward pause. Link coughed delicately to break the silence.
"Heh, didn't know 'Timbe' could run so fast either," he quipped.
*****
And another chapter done! Hopefully I'll get the next one written soon! In the meantime, why don't you review? Because if you're read this far, you should! ^_^ Oh yes, Kasumi is Japanese for 'mist.' And yes, I'm aware that Kasumi is also Misty from Pokemon's Japanese name. Kas belongs to my friend Sond. Now, review!! Until next time!