An Act to Follow HD

by Snowsilver

During Clock Town's Midsummer Festival, Link and his friends are taking a well-deserved break from their adventures. But everything may not be as simple as it seems, for they say a wolf walks the city streets...

6. Chapter 6

An Act to Follow - Part 6: Pyrotechnics tend to sometimes lead on realizations

Kafei yawned carelessly as his older brother lectured him.

"…and Mother says you are not to stay outside after it gets dark. It's okay to stay for the fireworks, but then you are all to come straight home. There's been some…well, just tell your friends to be careful tonight, okay? Kaf, are you listening to me?"

Kafei's older brother, who was married to the innkeeper Anju, also happened to be named Kafei. Apparently it had been an important name in the family. Big Kafei was very much like his father and younger brother, although he was less high strung and kept his violet hair longer and more unkempt then Mayor Dotour ever did.

Little Kafei was idly flipping his fox-faced Keaton Mask in the air, still not quite listening.

Big Kafei just sighed. Catching the mask on the next flip, he looked his younger brother in the eye. "I doubt you heard a word of what I just said."

The younger boy blinked. "You said, and I quote: ' "…and Mother says you are not to stay outside after it gets dark. It's okay to stay for the fireworks, but then you are all to come straight home. There's been some…well, just tell your friends to be careful tonight, okay? Kaf, are you listening to me?'" Little Kafei grinned impishly.

Big Kafei handed Kafei back his mask. "Great. And you'd better heed those words, otherwise Mother will probably ground you for a month."

"Aww, okay. I'll tell my friends that too." Kafei started walking back to the merchant's tent, in the shade of which Kat and Sond were playing cards.

"You go do that. And don't forget the fireworks tonight!"

"How could I, Mom's only talked about them for a mon-ack!" Link and Ty, still in the heat of an epic chase, chose that particular moment to collide with Kafei, resulting in twitching pile of arms and legs. Several passers-by chuckled, while a few ventured to ask if the boys were all right.

Kat looked up from her hand of cards at Sond. "Got any threes?"

"Go fish. Got any Kings?"

"Go fish."

Shouts erupted as Link and Ty erupted into a wrestling match while still entangled with Kafei. Yelps from all three parties were clearly audible, but either the girls were too absorbed in the game to notice, or they were just choosing to ignore it.

"I'll teach you!"

"Ow, my foot!"

"Mercy, mercy! I'm an innocent!"

"Owowowow!"

"I ought to-!"

Off to the side, Tejina watched the goings on with a furrowed brow. Looking at Timbre almost disdainfully, she asked, "Do your friends always do stuff like that?"

"Hmm?" Timbre jolted out of his pensive mood slightly.

"What he here means to say," Tatl interrupted, "is that they most certainly do."

"Oh." Tejina had kind of hoped for more then just filler noises from Timbre. She'd been trying to make conversation with him all afternoon, guilt-ridden about some of the things she'd said earlier in the day. Unfortunately, he'd remained frustratingly aloof.

By the time the girl's train of thought had run its course, the two combatants (plus the third caught in the crossfire) were spent, separating and dusting themselves off. Kafei was grumbling something about common courtesy, while Ty and Link were still glaring at each other. Their little rivalry wasn't over by a long shot.

Back at their card game, Kat slapped down four Jacks. "Hah! There! Beat that!"

Sond started at her cards. "Um, lessee…got…any…fours?"

"Botheration!" Kat handed off three matching cards, and Sond wordlessly pulled the fourth from her hand and put the group down.

"…got any twos?"

"And again!" Another group of four cards went down in Sond's favor. Kat sighed. She wasn't winning as much as the thought she was.

-;O;-

Across Clock Town, the large man that Timbre had inadvertently collided with leaned casually against the wall directly next to the Laundry Pool's entrance. He had been there most of the afternoon, a fur-lined hood pulled over his face, keeping it in shadow.

Even though it was the Midsummer Festival and therefore quite hot, he still wore his cape. In fact, chances were he wouldn't even discard it during the summer unless it became unbearably hot. The leather tunic and pants his cloak covered were a dusty tan color, and his large boots were black, also lined with fur. His rough hands were ungloved, the nails yellowed, tough, and short. Thrust rather conspicuously in his belt was a long hunting knife; anyone foolish enough to engage him would soon discover he had several other such blades hidden, two in his boots, and one under his right wrist.

His dark serious eyes glanced up briefly as they caught a glint of metal. Captain Viscen of the Clock Town Guard leaned against the wall next to him with a metallic groan. The cloaked man cackled suddenly.

"It's been a while, hasn't it? Anybody worth his salt could hear you miles before you showed up with that getup, Viscen."

The Captain stared forward, not looking into the man's face. "I'm not a mercenary like you, Mr. Chatrail-"

"Just Veneer will do."

"Veneer, I am a soldier. I don't need to sneak around in my profession."

The man named Veneer chuckled lightly, his voice raspy. "Aye, and an honorable job it is, eh Captain?" This last word was said almost mockingly. He looked over the Captain's armored uniform with a vexing eye. "Heh, pretty glimmering armor. Course, it does you no good out in the real world. If you want to survive out there you need more than just a spear an' some pretty uniform. You need brains."

"I didn't summon you to mock my work, Veneer."

"Oh aye. Got a job for me then, I heard?"

"Yes." Captain Viscen still hadn't glanced at his comrade. He leaned on his spear slightly. "There's some…extermination I'd like you to take care of."

"Heh, since when did you get the impression I was an assassin? Heh, dangerous work, that. Besides, I thought you didn't honor things like that."

"Oh no. Never." The Captain stared ahead intently. The crowd was pretty much nonexistent near them, and nobody paid them any heed otherwise. But, Viscen would rather be careful than risk someone overhearing. When he was sure his only ear was Veneer, he continued. "There was…an incident…last night. Nothing major, just a crate of bottles overturned. But that's not what I called you here for."

Veneer raised an eyebrow.

"Look," the Captain said. "Whatever did that was not human. There were…how do I put this…pawprints found, around the crate. I saw them myself. And this was no isolated case. I've had several accounts-"

"Huh." Veneer snorted. "Stray dogs. You've got yourself worried over dogs, Viscen."

"No." Viscen shook his head. "They're too large. These are Wolfos prints, Veneer. I'd stake an oath on it."

Veneer's eyes narrowed. "One of those beasts loose in town? I take it you've seen it, then?"

"Well, no…not personally…but…" The Captain swallowed. "A few people think they've seen it. Someone just this afternoon swore to me he'd seen something run along the roof just south of here."

Veneer stroked his chin again. "So you want me to take care of a rogue Wolfos, is that all?" Captain Viscen nodded mutely. "Because that's what I do, right? You'd rather not get your hands dirty, is that it?"

"Well, no, not exactly…" Captain Viscen chose his words carefully. "I just thought I'd get someone with experience."

Veneer nodded, smiling. "Oh aye, you keep telling yourself that, Viscen. You don't normally mind being the biting jaws of the law, do you? But the moment you're after a quarry that can bite back, you hire an expert." The smile became slightly humorless as the hunter suddenly became contemplative. "I've certainly killed Wolfos before, countless times, all types. For different people, farmers, settlers, paranoid soldiers, heh. Sometimes just for fun. But never have I found such work in a city."

"Yes." The Captain looked slightly nervous. "And being in a city, I pray that you might be, er, discreet about it? We are having a festival and all, and the Mayor-"

"Yes, yes, I'll make sure your Mayor's precious little to-do isn't disturbed. Wouldn't want to scare the tourists, would I?" Veneer smiled grimly from beneath his cloak. He appeared to be calculating for a moment, and then he declared, "Six hundred."

The Captain spluttered. "Six hundred Rupees for one Wolfos? But that's robbery!"

"You summoned a mercenary," Veneer grumbled. "And if there is a rogue Wolfos clever enough to evade you skulking about your town, you should be grateful I happened to be in the area to eliminate it before it'll hurt anybody. Or worse, kill. Six hundred, and be grateful I haven't charged more."

The Captain sighed. "Fine. Two hundred now, and you'll get the rest when that thing's head is in my hands."

"Three hundred now."

"You know," The Captain groaned, conceding, "If I didn't know any better I'd think you were one of the bad guys." He tossed a small sack to Veneer, who caught it easily in one hand.

"That's the difference between you and me," Veneer said, fishing out a large, blood-red Rupee from the sack. "We're both 'good guys,' but I'm the one who does the dirty work, and doesn't concern asking for his due. We're two sides of the same coin, you and I. You're the shiny figurehead, upholdin' the law in the name of honor, and I'm the tarnished bounty hunter, just trying to get by. Meet me here tonight, midnight. I'll show you how the other side works."

Without another word, Veneer pocketed his money, and slipped away.

-;O;-

For all the overcast day had threatened, the clouds had never really made good on their promises; gradually the sky started to clear. Night was falling rapidly, and soon some of the brightest stars started to become visible thorough the haze of clouds. In the distance, the Clock Tower turned the half hour.

Sitting on the upper veranda of the Stock Pot Inn, eight children reveled in their 'special' privileges.

"Hah, all the other people have to sit on the ground, we get the best view!" Kafei laughed aloud, getting a bunch of quizzical looks in response.

"Yeah, your brother convinced Anju to let us up here, that's all," Chiron said finally. "Besides, she's usually pretty okay about kids sitting up here as long as they don't mess it up."

"But we still got permission first, and therefore the best seats!" Kafei reassured them. "'Cause they're lighting the fireworks on the Clock Tower ledge, which means they go off right above the clock."

"…which we be starin' at righ' now." Nick finished for him. "Good thinkin' on yore part."

"One thing, though." Kat made an observation, as she split Sond's hair into three parts so she could braid it. "Since we're so close, it's gonna be loud."

"But at least it won't be raining," Sond said, then she winced suddenly. "Ouch! Kat!"

"Sorry," Kat said ruefully. "I'm trying to get the tangles as best I can, but honestly, your hair's just messy. I just pulled a leaf out of it."

"And since when are you so concerned about making loud explosions, Kat?" Chiron asked, smirking.

Kat flushed slightly, focusing pointedly on Sond's hair. "I haven't blown anything up recently," she remarked.

"What about last week when-"

"Recently."

"Chiron," Sond admonished between gritted teeth. "She's gonna pull my hair out by the roots if you keep at it…"

Ty and Link were sitting at opposite ends of the group, which was probably for the best. They still managed to throw glares whenever possible, although the waning sunlight was dampening their efforts. Picking idly at some loose thatch, Ty sighed.

"Is it really safe to light fireworks this close to the audience?" he said aloud.

Kafei shrugged. "Never been a problem in the past." Kafei blinked, suddenly looking thoughtful. "Then again… we do know how close you can get to fire without getting hurt-"

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Kat started, causing Sond to wince again.

"Just kidding!" Kafei said disarmingly.

Kat finally just rolled her eyes heavenwards in good-natured surrender. "Well, practice makes perfect. And lots and lots of scorch marks."

Everybody laughed.

Nick, looking concerned, nudged Timbre, who hadn't laughed, or indeed, moved much at all since they'd arrived. "Oy, you haven' said anythin' all day practically. Was' up, lobo?"

Timbre seemed to be intently studying the worn gray toes of his soft boots. "Sorry," he mumbled. "I've just been thinking, is all."

"Good grief, I think my brother's starting to wear off on you, Tim!" Ty smirked. "What's there so much to think about?"

"Eh, nothing much…" Timbre said vaguely. "Nothing important, anyway."

"Yeah." Kat didn't like to see her friend moping so much, so she tried to get him to talk. Even hearing him complain would be better then nothing. "So, what'd you think of Tejina, Tim? Must be refreshing to meet someone your height." Kat braced herself for the retort.

But Timbre just shrugged. "Eh," he said finally. "I didn't really talk to her that much. Didn't really want to. So I dunno." Chin in hands, he stared stubbornly forwards.

"I think someone's holding a grudge. Personally she seems like a very nice person, once you get to know her." Kat looked intently at Timbre as she disentangled a stray twig from Sond's half-finished braid. "Just like some people I know."

"But she was kind of weird," Link remarked. "I asked her if she'd lost her other glove, since she only had the one, and she looked at me as if I'd sprouted wings." He rubbed his chin. "So I asked her why she didn't just not wear the glove at all, and she said, 'I never take it off.'"

Timbre, meanwhile, had relapsed back into contemplative silence.

Kat and Sond exchanged concerned glances, and Kat finally shrugged as if to say, 'I tried!' Everyone vaguely stared upwards. It was a lot darker then it had been five minutes ago.

"Not too long now," Kafei said, breaking the silence.

"Er, mind if I join you?" A voice said, behind them.

Eight surprised people looked over their shoulders at Tejina, who flinched, then smiled shyly.

"Hi."

"Didn't you and your brother and Ana have another show tonight?" Link asked curiously.

"It ended an hour ago. I came back to the Inn because I figured it would be a good place to watch the fireworks, and Anju said you were up here."

"Well, you're actually a paying customer, so I guess we can't say no," Ty remarked. "You're good at popping out of nowhere, you know that? None of us even noticed you show up." He was careful to note he didn't know how long she'd been there.

"It's just a knack. 'Slight of self,' you might say. Comes in handy sometimes, being able to go unnoticed." Without another word, the short girl plopped herself down between Nick and Timbre. "I've never seen fireworks from this close before."

Timbre scooted several inches away from the newcomer, and Kat and Sond stifled giggles. Kat was biting her tongue when she noticed a commotion beneath them. "Hey check it out, the Guards are chasing something."

Tejina peered. "Someone, you mean." She scowled. "And whoever it is, they're giving those Guards a run for their money."

"Or someone else's," Sond quipped. "I think I recognize that guy. That's Sakon the thief. He's a crook, he must've been pickpocketing the crowd, but finally got spotted."

"Ugh, that guy," Kafei grumbled. "I don't know why they don't just banish him from town."

"Probably hard to keep him away with all these crowds. Good grief, he's prancing away from them," Ty said, tail twitching. "Guess that armor makes it hard for the Guards to run."

A thin man with a fat sack thrown over his shoulder pranced madly out in front of the guards, making obscene hand gestures at his pursuers and generally causing havoc down below. But it wasn't to last for long. Sakon suddenly tripped over something and sprawled out flat on his face. The sack of goods spilled, and several stolen trinkets rolled on the ground. Many onlookers gave a throaty cheer as the Guards dragged the formerly prancing man away.

Tejina sighed. "Well, that ends that little escapade, anyways."

As if that were a cue, the first firework went off and lit the sky in a flash of maroon. Immediately following was the crack of exploding bombpowder. Kat flinched from the loud noise, but was immediately soothed by the chorus of "oohs" and "aahs" that drifted from the square below, a similar sentiment echoed by the children on the veranda.

"So pretty!" Sond said, with nods of agreement.

Two went off at once with a thunderous golden explosion that illuminated the sky. Talking drew to a minimum as the show progressed. Fireworks aren't a time for speaking as much as a time for watching. Everybody made good on this unwritten rule, and leaned back, enjoying the show.

-;O;-

After about a half-hour, the last firework burst and faded. The crowd below hooted and hollered its appreciation as the last sparking motes of green drifted earthwards, then extinguished. The stars slowly began to reappear through the haze of smoke. Kat wrinkled her nose. "It smells like a bomb went off."

"Well, it kind of did, fireworks are just bombs that look pretty, after all." Chiron said.

"Well, that is that, I suppose," Kafei yawned and stretched. "No more, at least until next time. But Mom'll probably book fireworks for midnight at next year's Carnival of Time. Again."

"Remember watching those last ones…over and over again? Hopefully certain celestial objects will stay up in the sky where they belong next time." Chiron grinned.

"What time is it?" Link interrupted loudly.

"Time to go home," Kafei said grumpily. "Mom says we have to go straight home after the fireworks. Probably because of that 'incident' from last night." Here he waggled his fingers.

Ty blinked, and Link smirked a little. The green-hatted boy swung a sly look at Timbre, who had relapsed into his quiet sulk. Timbre just rolled his eyes. "Did this 'incident' happen to involve a crate of bott-oof!"

Sond elbowed Link in the ribs. "Ixnay," she mumbled in his ear, as Link remembered that Tejina was still with them. Sond stood up. "Time to go home. Otherwise Kafei's dear mother will be mad, and I for one don't need that kind of aggravation!" She started towards the veranda door.

"Aww man, it's not even that late though, and we're being subject to this stupid curfew," Chiron grumbled as he stood, rapping his knuckles idly on the large bell hung beside them as he passed.

"Not like w're missin' any'ing, though…" Nick followed Chiron's example. "'Tainment's over f' th' nigh', shops closin', so ev'ryone's clearin' out, aye?" Sure enough, he was right. The square was now almost completely empty.

Last in line for the door was Kat and Timbre. Timbre stood resolutely. He felt completely awake, and although a little cross about having to turn in so early, he wasn't arguing. Turning his head, he looked at Tejina. Kat waved to her.

"G'night," she said.

The girl blinked. "Is it okay if Tim stays a minute or two?"

Timbre looked at Kat sourly, and she just nodded firmly. "Go ahead." When Timbre didn't reply, Kat rolled her eyes. "Look, if you stay out here you don't have to go inside yet, understand?"

Kat's eyes were slightly admonishing, as they flickered over to Tejina for a moment. Finally, Timbre agreed. "Yeah. Fine."

"Just get back to the Mayor's house soon, okay?" Then Kat left with a bit of a smile on her face. Timbre's expression had been priceless just then.

Timbre sat back down without a word. He stared forwards as if nobody else was there. Nothing was said for almost five minutes.

"You were sitting behind us for a while," he finally said, flatly. "How long?"

"Long enough, I suppose." The girl also stared forwards, fidgeting. Finally she sighed. "May I say something?"

He shrugged. "Go ahead."

"This is kind of hard for me, but I wanted to apologize about today. I mean for real. We kind of got off on the wrong foot. I said and did some awful things to you today, and for that I'm sorry. I just wanted you to know that."

Startled, Timbre actually turned and met her gaze. Unlike the stiff apology earlier, this had sounded sincere. Even her eyes were serious. His eyebrows slowly unfurrowed. "S'okay, I guess…"

"I dunno if Kei said so or not, but I'm slow to warm up."

"He said as much." The boy relapsed into tacit stargazing.

"You don't like to talk much, do you?" The girl observed.

"No, it's just…if there's no reason to say anything, why talk? I'd rather just think."

"'Bout what?"

"Uh, stuff," he said shortly.

"Oh." Another awkward period of silence occurred.

"Well," Timbre suddenly said, almost startling Tejina. "It wasn't exactly nice to just give you the cold shoulder, and I know you've been trying to talk to me all day. Ask any of my friends, they'll tell you how much of a grump I can be. It's not your fault."

Tejina smiled a little, relieved.

"Though why did you want to dance so badly?"

The girl fidgeted uncomfortably. "Promise you won't make fun of me?"

Timbre stared blankly forwards. "I'll attempt to curb my rapier wit."

"It's because I find you very interesting."

The boy's brow furrowed slightly. "Okay?"

"I just…I was trying to get your attention, I guess."

"So you decided to steal from me?"

"I…I didn't know what else to do," she admitted helplessly. "Look, I just wanted to get to know you better."

Timbre scoffed distantly. "There's a lot about me that you don't know, shouldn't know, and frankly, don't want to know."

"Like what?"

"You tell me."

"Okay," Tejina said, looking thoughtful, staring first upwards, then back down at the thatch. "Well, for one thing, I know you're not a local, though you know this place very well. And…um, you're not fond of dancing."

"I wonder how you figured that one out," Timbre grumped. But this time his tone was begrudgingly less harsh, and the girl realized he wasn't quite as cross about the dancing incident anymore.

"Yes, but when something bothers you, you tend to keep it inside, until someone prods it out of you. You'd rather solve problems yourself then ask for help from others. And sometimes you're a bit inflexible and don't listen to advice given to you."

Timbre shrugged.

Tejina continued. "And you're also very insecure about something, that's why you're wearing that coat, to make yourself look bigger." She trailed off there.

Timbre smirked. "Is that all?" He asked, sounding critical, and maybe just a bit disappointed.

Tejina shuffled. "No, actually there's something else. I know what you are."

Timbre kept his expression neutral, but his stomach churned icily as the girl continued.

"I had a hunch, but I knew for sure as soon as you got the drop on me in front of this Inn. There's no other way you could have beaten me there through that crowd."

Timbre stared at the ground. "I resent that."

"You're not what you seem." Tejina pressed.

"How do you know that?"

"Because I just told you."

"And why would you care?"

"Because I understand."

"You don't." He turned his head away.

"I resent that," Tejina said, mimicking him.

"You're starting to aggravate me," he accused.

"Well, you're aggravating me, seems only fair, doesn't it?"

Timbre had to bite his tongue before he started growling. "Look, I think I'd better go," he said, sounding forced.

"Tim, if you don't tell me, I'm going to tell you."

"Then I have nothing to say. We're all allowed to keep things to ourselves."

"You don't need to keep this to yourself, don't you get it?" Her tone almost sounded desperate.

"I'm leaving."

"I'm talking."

"Go ahead, I'm already gone anyway." He was standing up.

"You are a wolf."

He foundered in mid-stand. Swallowing, Timbre stared at Tejina. Her tone had been neither angry nor accusing, just plainly spoken. At that moment, he finally understood. Closing his eyes, he nodded. "Yes, I am." He then looked directly back at the girl. "And so are you."