An Act to Follow — Epilogue: All's well that ends well (sort of)
The next morning was atypical for midsummer - a little bit on the chilly side, and rather damp. It had rained overnight. The green grass of Termina Field outside the walls of Clock Town was quite burdened and beaded, and when disturbed, the excess moisture scattered into colorful drops on the wide misty plain. Contrasted with a gray and somewhat overcast day, this meant only one thing.
"My feet are getting wet!" Link complained. "It's soaking right through my boots!" He shook one foot while balancing on the other, and then inverted his posture to repeat with the other foot.
"Why are you complaining so much?" Ty said. "It's no worse then the mornings a few months ago…all those rainy days…or more appropriately, the same rainy day over and over again…at least it's warmer now than it was then."
"Yeah," Tatl giggled. "And it's always like this in the Southern swamp…"
"Well, it was spring, at least the weather had an excuse then…" Link replied primly. "You can't see anything in this mist…"
Kat and Sond both rolled their eyes, following sedately behind the group. After the events of the previous night, everyone had gone to bed in an exhausted heap back at Kafei's house. Unfortunately, tension and anxiety over their friends' welfare had caused them to rise early, even though it wasn't really that necessary.
"So why do we have to go out now again?" Chiron asked.
"Well," Sond started, "Aren't you the least bit curious about certain people…don't you want make sure they're okay?"
"Well, yeah," Kafei took over, "But I mean, what if Kas took them really far away…they could be all the way across Termina for all we know."
"I doubt it," Ty yawned, stretching. His tail curled slightly upwards so that it wouldn't brush the tips of the grass and get wet. "The whole 'dissappearing into the sky' thing was kind of just for show."
Nick grinned. "I thin' anythin' would've impress'd 'em, actu'ally…" The redhead mused. "Well, thin' o' places tha' a dragon cou' lan' easy wi'out problems…"
"What about Romani Ranch?" Tael suggested. "That's pretty huge…"
"Maybe," Kat said. "But I doubt it. If Kas landed there he'd give the cows and horses an awful fright…just imagine Romani and Cremia's reactions…"
Kafei laughed as he put on a falsetto voice. "'They' are back! Romani will shoot it with her bow!'"
"No, Kas definitely wouldn't like that," Ty thought aloud. "Where else?"
"Well, Snowhead's out…" Chiron said. "And Great Bay doesn't seem too likely, the beach is too sandy for a good landing, and well, you can't exactly land on the ocean…"
"Same problem with the Southern Swamp…" Link said from the front. "And I dunno about Ikana Valley…"
"Pamela's dad certainly would enjoy it though…" Kat mused. "Imagine if he saw a dragon at his doorstep? He'd faint from shock!"
"Hey guys…" Kafei shook them out of conversation. "What's that up ahead?"
They all squinted and peered ahead. Situated below the wooden archway that denoted the entrance to Milk Road and Romani Ranch was a tight circle of carts, wagons, and other wheeled vehicles of all shapes, colors and sizes. They poked haphazardly out of the misty, dewy landscape like oddly-shaped hills, some of them with two wheels, most four, a few six. Many were equipped with hitching for teams of draft animals.
"This must be the merchants' caravans," Kafei remarked. "They're too big for the city streets, so they had to store them out here."
One small but brightly painted brush wagon seemed to stand out. It was old - sky-blue, smooth and weather-worn - but neat and tidy, with a gently curving roof, four sturdy walls, a small door in the front, and a set of four wide-spoked wheels.
"I think that we forgot one rather obvious place for them to land," Kafei finished. "How about right in the field?" He pointed out.
As they approached, the mist cleared a little, and they were able to make out the caped form of Kasumi, who was leaning against the colorful cart. As they approached, they were unsurprised to find that he was already awake, although there was a yawn apparent in his eyes.
"Good morning," he said quietly, as if last night's events had been perfectly normal.
"Morning!" Kat and Sond squeaked.
"Mornin'," Nick mumbled.
"Morning," Link grumbled, still irritable about his wet boots.
"Uh…so…yeah?" Kafei said hesitantly.
"Right," Ty said, looking to his older brother. "About…"
"They're fine," Kasumi said, answering the unasked question. He gestured underneath the cart. They all stooped and looked underneath.
Behind one of the large wheels, probably to keep out of the damp, were Timbre and Tejina. They were leaning back to back in human form, and both of them were fast asleep. Sond and Kat found themselves unexpectedly attacked by a fit of the giggles.
"How adorably precious," Link said after a moment, a bit mockingly.
Smirking, Nick murmured something conspiratorially to Chiron. After a moment's contemplation, Chiron nodded, and the two shook hands.
"Course, I think I'd be zonked out like that too after last night…and the past few days…"
"Whassat?" Timbre, who was the one closest to them, stirred in mid-snore, opening one green eye blearily. After a moment, he yawned. "Oh, it's you…" he said, not quite altogether.
"Good morning…" Kat said gently. "Uh, we brought back your coat. You left it behind last night." Kat unslung the garment from over her shoulder.
"Oh. Thanks," Timbre said, stretching and trying to stand up. Unfortunately, he forgot where he was. The top of his head collided with the bottom of the cart. He leaned suddenly forwards, wincing and clutching at his head. Tejina, suddenly with nothing supporting her back except open air, promptly fell backwards with a grunt.
Tejina wasn't amused. Her eyes snapped open irritably. She groaned and pulled herself into a kneeling position, rubbing the back of her head, which had hit the ground rather hard. She growled incoherently.
Timbre sheepishly accepted the overcoat from Kat. "Thanks."
Meanwhile, Link was examining the small wagon. In many ways it looked much like a miniature house, complete with little windows. It was painted sky blue, with white and violet trimmings. The hitch of the cart stood sturdily upright, although it was currently unattached to anything.
"Who do you think this belongs to?" Link said, while Tatl flew circles around it, inspecting the wagon from all sides.
Tejina blinked blearily, still rubbing her head. "Read the side," she mumbled.
"What did she say?" Link raised an eyebrow.
"She said 'Read the side,'" Tatl clarified, bopping him lightly on the head. Link did so, squinting at the neatly painted text.
"'Meimu?'"
"That's Kei, Ana's, and Tee's last name," Tatl clarified. "This belongs to them."
Link smirked. "Oh. Neat. Wonder what's in-"
"Don't even think about it, Mr. Hero. It's locked. Anyway, s'nothing interesting." Tejina grumpily leaned back, shivered, and closed her eyes, muttering. Moments later she was asleep again.
Link scowled. "How can someone fall asleep like that?"
"I think," Kat blinked, "That I'd fall asleep pretty quickly if I was really tired, too."
Timbre yawned. "Speakin' of…I think I'm gonna go back to sleep too…Thanks for getting my coat back. It was a bit chilly out here…"
Tatl hovered over him. "You and my brother both, insisting on sleeping late…"
"Meh," Timbre grumbled, lying down again, this time with the coat pulled over his head.
"And we'll not see him for days," Sond giggled. "Come on, let's let them have a little shut-eye. Anybody else up for breakfast? I'm starving, myself."
-;O;-
Two hours later, the group arrived back at the encampment, this time fed, though no less grumpy. Since the mist had started to burn off, Link couldn't complain about wet boots anymore. The childrens' ire instead had a newer target.
"Third place," Link said, gruffly.
For once, the Hylian got no argument from Ty. "Yeah, what gives?"
Chiron shrugged moodily. "I think that contest was rigged," he grumbled.
"Then again," Sond said philosophically, "maybe it's for the best that we weren't the center of attention."
"And after last night, I guess we should feel fortunate that losing a contest is the worst of our problems," said Kafei.
Ty idly kicked the ground. "Well, you certainly can't say the past few days were uneventful," he murmured, leaning back with his hands clasped behind his neck. "We stopped a crazed hunter, we played pretty well, and I got revenge on Link. All and all, not a bad time, eh?"
Link glowered. "It wasn't that great of a revenge…It was just smelly glop. My pranks were much better!" He stuck his nose up in the air. Tatl was noticeably absent from her normal orbit around the Hylian boy's hat. She and Tael had decided to take off on 'other business,' as they had called it.
"Yeah, but mine stuck around longer," Ty said. "Yours just irritated me for a little while, while your clothes'll be stained like that for a while. And don't forget the flies…"
Link had spent quite some time scrubbing sand into his clothes that morning. It had made the entire front of the forest green tunic look blotchy and wrinkled. "Yeah, well, I'll send you the laundry bill, Monkey Boy." he finished.
"Don't call me that." Ty scowled.
"Er, if I could interrupt your conversation," Kafei said quickly, "I think we've got a problem."
"What?" Chiron looked up.
Kafei pointed towards the wagons. "Look over there."
There was quite a bit more going on at the entrance to Milk Road then there had been earlier. For one thing, both Timbre and Tejina were now fully awake. They stood nervously side-by-side, watching the Meimu wagon where Kasumi, Ana, and Kei stood in conversation with a man bedecked in shiny, gold-trimmed armor. It was Captain Viscen.
"Uh-oh…" They ran the rest of the way. As they drew near, Tejina and Timbre both looked over and waved.
"Hey!" Tejina seemed more chipper, and less cranky now that she'd slept properly.
"Uh," Sond began, eyes roving over towards the talking adults. "What're they talking about?"
Timbre, who was looking a bit downcast, shrugged.
"We don't know," Tejina admitted, looking a little worried. "They've been at it a half-hour, and they won't let us in on it."
"I think I know why he's here," Timbre said quietly. "It must be because of me."
As if on cue, Captain Viscen glanced their way. His eyes lit up as he saw them. "Ah! Here they are, finally!" The adults ambled over, and Kat heard Timbre audibly swallow.
"Er, 'ey," Nick murmured, squinting as Viscen's helmet glinted in the mid-morning sun. "'Ow're you?"
Viscen blinked, taking in the boy's accent. "Good, thank you. I've been wanting to speak to you all."
Timbre shuffled uneasily as Viscen knelt down on the soft grass, getting down to eye level with his audience. Clearing his throat importantly, he began.
"I wanted to see you all here before I made any decision. Now, first off, I want to say I'm very glad that the events of last night didn't end in any tragedies, and I want to apologize to you all about Veneer's unprofessional behavior."
"Speaking of Veneer," Chiron said uneasily. "Uh, what happened to him?"
Viscen smiled humorlessly. "He came by me very early this morning, accepted his pay, and was subsequently dismissed from my service. He left Clock Town immediately thereafter, heading north."
"Wait," Chiron scowled, "You paid him?!"
"Of course," Viscen frowned. "I commissioned him to do a job, which he did successfully complete, I might add. I do not go back on contracts."
"But he tried to-"
"That is unimportant. However, if I'd known-" He shook his head. "That's not what I'm here about. By now you all know that Timbre is charged with-"
"You're still on about that?!" Ty suddenly blurted. "After all that we've been through?!" The Volcanian's tail lashed angrily.
"Calm down." Kasumi's voice wafted from the trio of adults, who had so far stood in silence. "Let him speak."
Viscen nodded. "Thank you. As I was saying, you are aware of the charges."
"But it was just a crate!" Ty protested.
"That's not the point," Viscen sighed.
"He's not bad!" Kat objected.
"We were involved too!" Kafei added.
"He paid you back!" Chiron pointed out.
"Bein' a lobo ain' a crime!" Nick argued.
"…could've been anyone!" Sond finished.
Kasumi sighed. "Please. Let the Captain speak."
"Again, thank you." Viscen took off his helmet, looking Timbre in the eye. "Now then. Timbre, do you accept full responsibility for your actions and the consequences thereof?" The Captain's eyes were serious.
The young boy in question swallowed hard, but he held the man's gaze as he nodded. "I do."
Viscen produced a heavily crumpled, ink-stained piece of parchment. "Did you write this, and leave it along with compensation to be found at the scene?"
Timbre gazed self-consciously at his poor spelling. "Yes sir," he admitted.
Viscen's eyes narrowed. "And your friends, were they involved in any way with your trespass and vandalism?"
"No, sir."
"Very well then," Viscen intoned, standing up straight, and replacing his helmet. "I have made my decision."
All the non-adults sighed audibly, and Timbre looked a bit crestfallen, staring at the ground. After everything that had happened, it would've been wishful thinking there would be no consequences. He might've escaped from the frying pan, but it looked like he was about to land directly in the fire. Resignedly, he closed his eyes.
"I've decided to let you off with a warning."
"What?!" Nine pairs of eyes snapped open wide as Viscen spoke.
"As Captain, I keep the law, and the protection and safety of Clock Town's citizens are the forefront of that law. However, there are times when the law cannot see what a simple man can see, and that is why a lawkeeper must also strive to be a judge of character," Viscen intoned. "Timbre, even though you are technically guilty of trespass, vandalism, and…ah, poor spelling-"
Timbre fidgeted uncomfortably.
"-and considering your nature being, er-"
"Un-ord'nary?" Nick suggested innocently, as Timbre fidgeted further.
"Un-ordinary," Viscen agreed gently, "You've also shown the integrity that many lack. When given the opportunity to thrust the blame on others who were so willing to accept it, you resisted and instead accepted your own shortcomings, admitting the fault that was rightly yours. That takes character. Therefore, I will let you off on a warning. This time. Do not let me catch you betraying my trust."
"Yes sir!" Timbre half-squeaked, relief making his knees slightly weak.
"As for your, er, nature-"
Timbre's relief abruptly reeled back into nervousness.
"I cannot say that I personally approve of deception, nor can I speak for all of those who live in Clock Town, however I do appreciate that publicly revealing your true nature might cause some, er, complications-"
"Can you really blame me for keeping it quiet, sir?" Timbre asked awkwardly.
"That is why I feel it is something that should be yours to disclose at your own will," Viscen agreed. "However, I do urge you to at least inform the Mayor and his wife. As the parents of your friend, and as public officials, I believe they would appreciate the gesture."
Kafei looked a bit pale. "Are you absolutely sure about that idea, sir?"
The Captain chuckled. "I wouldn't worry yourself too much, young Mr. Dotour. Your father has lots of experience with diversity."
"It's not him I'm worried about," Kafei muttered under his breath.
"Now, as for the rest of you." Viscen looked slightly stern.
This time, everybody flinched.
"It is commendable how loyal you are to each other. You should all consider yourselves lucky that you have such true friends," Viscen said with a small smile. "Most aren't nearly as fortunate."
"Aw," Link smirked.
"Wa' nuthin'," Nick said, grinning.
"We've been through so much it's like being a family," Sond added.
"We all would do the same for any of us!" Kat piped.
"We're pretty tight knit," Chiron finished.
"As for the extraordinary events that resulted in your timely escapes last night…" Viscen began, "I ask for no explanation. As far as I'm officially concerned, that was merely an illusion, brilliantly dreamt up by Madam Ana and Mister Keisou."
"Thank you," Kas said softly.
"Miss Tejina," Viscen looked down at the little girl, "I don't know how I can apologize for what Veneer put you through-"
Tejina looked slightly abashed. "Please, you don't have to."
"I still would like to claim responsibility," the Captain said. "Please do not let the unfortunate mistakes of one man sour your opinion of Clock Town."
"Veneer? He-"
"I meant my mistakes, miss." Viscen nodded and straightened. "Well, unfortunately, duty calls. I believe I have work to do back in Clock Town, as I still must deal with that scoundrel Sakon. He's really outdone himself this time…"
"What did he do?" Kafei asked curiously.
Viscen sighed wearily. "Pickpocketing. Wish I could throw that burglar out of my city for good." He looked up. "Anyhow, I have to go deal with him. I suppose you will be moving on later today?" The Captain shook hands with Kei and Ana.
"That's the plan, sir," Ana smiled.
"Well, good luck in Labrynna, if it's anything like the show you put on for Clock Town, you'll dazzle them!"
The Captain shook hands with Kasumi, and then stooped to shake hands with each of the children. When he got to Timbre, he paused with his hand out. "Even after seeing it though that lens, it is still so hard to imagine that you're-"
In response, Timbre wordlessly handed his overcoat to Kafei.
Viscen stared wonderingly at the black and white creature blinking up at him with intelligent green eyes. Solemnly, the wolf pup raised his right forepaw and placed it in the Captain's outstretched hand. They shook.
The Captain straightened, nodded wordlessly, and then strolled off importantly in the direction of his city, clanking with every step. They all watched him go. After a while, Ana turned to the group.
"You should consider yourselves incredibly fortunate," Ana said seriously. "Viscen was ultimately a very understanding individual. He could have, and maybe should have pressed charges against all of you."
"Well," Sond squeaked, "What could he have done? I mean, arrest us because a crate fell over?"
"Certainly. The area was off limits. And you all were helping a lawbreaker escape from justice. Even if he'd forgiven the vandalism and your interference, he still could have easily seen Timbre and Tejina as a threat to public safety," Ana said deftly as both named parties looked away, "He could have sided with Veneer's views. However, he's been very accepting, and that is very fortunate."
"And he'll certainly be keeping everyone here under a close watch from now on," Kei added.
"Are you really going to tell my parents about this, Tim?" Kafei asked, hesitantly, handing the overcoat back to the boy as he changed back into human form. "I mean, Mom might tweak out or something…"
"I'm going to have to deal with it sooner or later," Timbre admitted. "Not something I'm exactly looking forward to…"
"That makes two of us," Kafei muttered darkly.
"Now! Miss Tee!" Kei whooped suddenly and swept his little sister up into his arms, "You've got a lot of explaining to do…"
"Yeah, " Link said, turning to Timbre. "How does it feel to be such a colossal idiot?"
Timbre frowned mischievously. "Guess now I know how you feel most of the time."
"Exactl-hey!"
Tejina squeaked, still squirming in her brother's arms. "Nothing to explain!" She gasped between giggles. "Most've it was just running away and lying low!"
Ana scowled. "And I suppose that leaving that back room when you knew it was dangerous, going to the most populated part of the city, and then jumping on stage in front of the entire town is your idea of lying low," she said sternly. "What in Nayru's name gave you that brilliant idea?"
"Actually," Timbre admitted bashfully. "That was my idea."
"But he wouldn't have been able to if I hadn't stolen that key," Tejina finished, her voice growing serious as she slipped back down to the ground. "So we're both colossal idiots. I guess we just got a little carried away."
Ana sighed. "You're just lucky you weren't caught." As an afterthought, she added, "Well, injured. Technically you were caught. If Viscen hadn't come-"
She stopped as she looked at the crestfallen faces of the two children. The corner of her mouth twitched slightly, almost as if she were trying to hide a smile. "Anyhow, I suppose all of this had one good point —you two aren't fighting anymore."
"How did you know we were-"
"I'm not stupid, you know." Ana said.
"Yeah, and neither are us!" Link added.
"Neither are we," Sond corrected Link. "We saw the way you two were acting yesterday."
"Yeah, you two could've curdled milk with those scowls," Chiron said. "Isn't it better to get along, eh?"
Timbre and Tejina glanced at each other.
"Maybe," the girl admitted.
"Sort of," the boy agreed grudgingly. "You're not so bad…"
Tejina chewed her lip. "And you aren't so bad either."
Kei just laughed. The awkward looks on their faces was rather humorous, and he ran a hand through his hair, smiling. "I'm glad you two won't be parting ways as complete enemies…"
Timbre made a face. Then he changed the subject. "Okay, so how did that trick with the box work, anyway?" He said suddenly, whirling on Tejina.
Tejina blinked. "Haven't I told you a bunch of times? It's a secret. You don't go about telling people how you pull off tricks, 'cause then they aren't amazing any more. If you want to know so badly, maybe you should put that brain of yours to work and try figuring it out on your own." Then as an afterthought, she added, "And no spying, considering what a mess you made last time."
Timbre scowled. "You're a spoilsport," he grumbled.
"And you're stubborn," she retorted.
Moments later, the two pups were playfully wrestling shoulder to shoulder in the grass, one of them frantically trying to disentangle himself from the overcoat that refused to respond to the changing of its owner's form. After a moment of commotion, the two dashed off among the wagons.
Ana smiled. "I really am glad Tee finally got to meet one of her own kind."
Kei nodded in agreement. "Maybe someday we'll find her family."
"But, you are her family," Kat said. "Just because you're human and she isn't doesn't make her care any less for you…" The girl trailed off awkwardly as the two adults turned and gazed at her.
"This is true," Ana admitted finally, watching the two four-legged shapes as they dashed between the wheels of the Meimu wagon. "But it's good to finally see one lonely little girl discovering that she's not quite as alone as she thought."
-;O;-
The rest of that morning (and half the afternoon as well) was spent in quiet relaxation out in front of Milk Road. As the mists burned away and the sun finally began to show its face through the clouds, many of the merchants began arriving at the caravan, claiming and packing up their wagons. A steady line of mules, ponies, and other draftsbeasts were trickling in with their owners from the road leading to Romani Ranch, where they had been boarded during the festival. Many of the carts had already been hitched up and pulled away, their owners desiring a head start on the weather. They had good reasoning; even halfway through the morning it was already quite hot and humid.
It was becoming quickly evident that it was going to be the kind of day where one desired nothing more than to simply refrain from moving as much as possible.
Kasumi, Kei, and Ana leaned quietly against the Meimu wagon, engrossed in quiet conversation. Nearby, seven children lay back in the grass, staring at puffy white clouds set heavily in a tapestry of bright blue.
"The weather here is so weird," Link remarked, as they all stared upwards. "One season it's bitterly cold, the next it's hot, and then it'll rain for a week. Hyrule's weather was never this fickle."
"Well," Ty said around a mouthful of sandwich, "At least this climate varies. Back home, we've got two types of weather: raining, or not. Gets kind of old after a while."
Nick grinned. "Aye. Changin' ain' so bad n'all.""
"So will you take us to Volcania some time?" Sond asked, leaning back wistfully.
"Er, uh, maybe…" Ty said vaguely, as if he didn't really want to discuss travel plans at the moment. "S'nothing special, really."
"I'd really like to see where you and Nick came from sometime."
Neither Volcanian answered her, and the resulting silence bordered on awkwardness.
"So where's Tim and Tee?" Kafei asked, changing the subject.
"Tim's prolly hiding from the horses," Link said, with a hint of amusement. "You know he's scared of them."
"Yeah, they're off thataways, somewhere," Chiron responded, waving his hand vaguely towards a distant patch of field. Safely away from the wagon activity, clumps of tall grass waved gently between patches of mist. "You can see the grass moving."
"Oh yeah, I see them too," Sond remarked, sitting up. "What are they up to?"
Kat also rose into a sit, shaking her head to clear it. After a few moments she saw a wolf's head pop into view, only to suddenly disappear back into the grass an instant later. It took her a few observations of this behavior before she realized what was going on. "Oh. I think they're hunting mice," Kat said finally.
"Eeuch," came Nick's grunt of disgust. "Lobos."
"Aw, let them be," Link said, twitching his nose irritably as a passing butterfly attempted to land on it. "It's probably a nice change for them, to have someone around with something in common…and she's leaving today, so it's their last chance to be together."
"That's very perceptive of you," Sond remarked sincerely.
"Well…I just figure if it were me, I'd want to enjoy it while I could."
"Still waters run deep," Ty teased, earning a halfhearted glare from the Hylian.
"Well, I have been thinking a lot about things lately," Link admitted. "When we were telling Tee and her brother about the Carnival of Time the other day, it hit me. The reason I never want to talk about last spring."
The other six children said nothing in reply, though the astonishment was clear on their faces. It was the first time Link had ever brought up the subject on his own.
Link continued. "We're still just kids, but we've already been through more and seen things that most adults never will. We've battled monsters, and seen the future. I'm carrying a relic in my pocket, and there's the mark of something that I don't quite understand dwelling in my left hand. We've met gods. We saw the world end, and then stopped it from happening. After Hyrule, after Termina, and all…well, it's no use trying to ignore it. I just get the feeling this…adventuring stuff is becoming a pattern, and that I just shouldn't dwell on it. So I just want to enjoy these quiet moments while I can."
"'Becoming a pattern?'" Sond's brows furrowed.
"It's… something the Princess said when she lent me the ocarina, but I didn't really understand at the time what she meant. I mean, do you really think it was a coincidence that we just so happened to show up in Clock Town three days before the moon crashed, with the one object with the power to stop it? You see what I mean?"
"Hmm," Sond and Kat both nodded slowly.
"You think your Princess knew that was going to happen?" Ty asked, for once not sounding derisive towards the Hylian.
"I…don't know, and I'm not sure I want to, not yet." Link sighed finally, closing his eyes. "Ugh. Look, what I mean is, let's just all try and enjoy today while it lasts. If we're lucky, tomorrow will be nice too."
"Oh! I think she got one," Chiron suddenly remarked, looking towards the tall grass. Tejina's gray head popped triumphantly into view, with something clenched between her jaws.
Nick made another small noise of disgust, which was quietly ignored.
A moment later, the wolf spat out a clump of long tufty grass seeds, and Timbre's laughter rang out across the fields as a short bark.
"Or maybe not," Chiron said.
-;O;-
Most of the wagons were gone. Timbre and Tejina had rejoined the rest of the group as they took turns attempting to skip stones in a nearby pond. Kei, and Ana walked over.
"Tee," Ana said softly, "We're going to be heading out in an hour. We've got to get to Labrynna by next week for our next show."
"Mmm," came the girl's acquiescence.
Link looked over in mid toss. His stone splashed noisily into the pond. "What's going on in Labrynna?"
Kei smiled over his shoulder as he and Ana headed back towards the cart. "Termina isn't the only place that has a festival during the summer. A few of the entertainment troupes go on a circuit together, so we're not all traveling alone."
"Ah." Link searched for a new stone.
"I just wish I weren't the only kid on it," Tejina said sulkily. "Adults are so boring sometimes."
"They're not so bad," Sond said. "Where Link and I came from, there aren't any adults, at least not what you'd consider adults. I guess if you aren't used to something, you find it more interesting."
"That does make sense," Tejina admitted, garnering a snort from Timbre.
"So what did you two have to talk about anyway?" the Hylian interrupted.
Tejina wrinkled her nose mischievously. "How to get rid of fleas," she answered.
There were several sniggers at this, and Link frowned. "Okay, I get it. Sorry. But you were gone a while, so you must have had something to talk about…"
"I was telling her about where I came from," Timbre declared abruptly.
This statement garnered half a dozen looks of surprise.
"What's wrong?" Tejina asked.
"Well, even we've never heard about that," Kafei said finally.
"Yeah, every time we ask he just says, 'it doesn't matter.'" Link frowned suspiciously. "So what did he-"
"Link," both Sond and Ty said at the same time. Link frowned.
"Well, why did you tell her and not us?" the Hylian asked Timbre.
"Well, to be frank-" Timbre said hesitantly, looking askance at Tejina. She nodded slightly. "Tee hasn't had a lot of…contact with…our kind before."
Chiron sent a stone skipping along with a deft flick of his wrist. "How's that?"
Tejina fidgeted with a stone. "Er, I'd rather not get into details, but the point is until I came here, I'd never seen another wolf before. Or at least if I had I was too young to remember. So I hadn't the faintest idea who or what I really was supposed to be."
"So for all you knew, you were just some one of a kind freak?" Chiron asked in slight amazement.
"Something like that," Tejina replied quietly, staring forwards at the pond, a stone loosely gripped in her gloved hand.
Timbre shot Chiron an exasperated look. "When I first met you all, remember all the human things I had no clue about?"
"Like balancing on two legs?" Link smirked.
"Yes," the boy responded guiltily.
"And the color red?"
"Yes, bu-"
"Oh, and don't forget-oof!" Link wheezed as Sond's elbow connected with his stomach.
"Anyway," Timbre sighed. "I mean, you even had to teach me how to throw things-" Here he awkwardly swung his arm towards the pond. His stone bounced off the soggy bank and rolled into the water. Tejina started to laugh, but quickly covered her mouth.
"You're working on it," Kat offered kindly.
"Ugh. Point is, there's a lot I didn't know, and-"
"-and I'm the same way." Tejina finished. "So I had a lot of catching up to do. I still do."
"May'ap you'm runnin' in t'more lobos on th' road," Nick offered.
"I mean, it isn't like your kind's extinct or anything," Ty said, nodding at Nick's comment. He suddenly flushed slightly. "Er, because Veneer did mention he'd run into your kind before-"
"He didn't exactly give us glowing reviews," Timbre muttered sullenly. "Mouse-crunching parasites of civilization…"
"He's also crazy," Sond pointed out.
Timbre just shook his head. "I don't think he was lying though. He has run into our kind before, and it hasn't enhanced his opinion of us very much."
"He's probably just saying that to-"
"Look, maybe he was, maybe he wasn't, but the point is, wolves are not perfect. We're not supernaturally good, or evil, any more than anyone is. You guys've been around me long enough to know that…I just want to make sure Tee doesn't have any unrealistic expectations," Timbre glanced over at Tejina seriously. "Sorry to disappoint you."
"Hey," Tejina looked askance at Timbre. "Wasn't it you who told me not even a day ago that it isn't what we are, but what we choose to be that matters? As far as I care, that guy can go eat an Octorock. I am what I am, and I'm not going to live up to his expectations."
"Point made," Timbre said. "But I'm not giving up mice."
"Mor' fool ye," Nick grumbled.
-;O;-
The next hour seemed to pass in a flash. After they grew bored of skipping stones, Tejina showed all of them some simple slight-of hand maneuvers, making it look as if she could conjure Rupees out of thin air. In actuality, it was Kafei's money, which, unbeknownst to him, she'd filched from his pocket. It took them all a while to figure out the money's origin, and afterwards Kafei became a bit flustered, muttering something about getting buttoned pockets.
"Don't want to lose any more keys, do we?" was all Tejina would say in reply.
Kafei just grumbled.
And then suddenly, just like that, the wagon was completely packed, and it was time for the trio of illusionists to leave. Kei and Ana's goodbyes were thankful and sincere.
"Thank you all, and Kafei, thank your parents especially for having us."
"No problem," Kafei answered for all of them, "And you can expect that we'll be wanting you back for next year's festival!" He grinned. "They'll want a repeat of last night, you see…"
Kei and Ana exchanged a look. "Guess we'll have to figure out a way to do that one, eh?" Ana grinned sheepishly as she stepped into the front of the cart.
"Guess so," Kei grinned, lifting the hitch easily in one hand.
"You're gonna pull that whole cart all the way to Labrynna?" Sond said, blue eyes wide in amazement.
"Oh goodness no," Kei said, laughing. "Just to Romani Ranch. I'm a strong man, but not that strong. We'll hitch up our mules there. Come on, Tee…"
"One second!" Tejina had visibly hung back. Turning towards the other eight children, she grinned. "I'm terrible with goodbyes. You'd think I'd be used to it by now. I just wanted to say thank you for showing me such a good time. Usually I don't get to meet this many people, and well…it was fun." She fidgeted awkwardly, scuffing one boot on the ground.
"Hey Tee, come on, please!" Ana's voice called out.
"Right! Coming!" the girl turned away.
"Wait," Timbre said suddenly, stumbling forward.
"Hm?" The girl stopped and looked back at him.
Timbre closed his eyes and held out his hand awkwardly. "Well, we did argue a lot, and get into fights, but we did make it out of Clock Town in one piece…I just wanted to make sure, before we parted ways, that…we parted ways as friends."
Tejina hesitated, but then she smiled widely. Walking over to him, she clasped his proffered hand. "Friends," she repeated, leaning in close.
Since Timbre's eyes were closed, he didn't notice what the girl was doing until he felt her lips lightly brush his cheek. His eyes snapped open in shock.
"Uh…bye!" Tejina let go of his hand and quickly dashed away, running to catch up to the cart, which had started to move.
Timbre sat down heavily.
Sond and Kat were attacked by a sudden fit of the giggles, and even the boys couldn't help but smirk at the sight, though Chiron rolled his eyes as he passed a red Rupee to Nick.
"I think you broke him," Link called indignantly after Tejina.
Tejina laughed as she sprang up onto the cart alongside Ana. "Well, I'll apologize next time I'm around!" She yelled to them, waving.
"Off to Labrynna! Ho!" Kei threw his weight forward, and the cart's wheels turned smoothly. As the cart trundled off, all the kids (the conscious ones, anyway) waved and shouted their goodbyes.
"Up 'y go, lobo!" Nick grunted, as he and Ty each grabbed one of Timbre's arms and hauled him into a standing position. "Can' stay 'ere all 'fternoon!"
Timbre, still shell-shocked, finally managed to blink. "Eep."
"Come on," Ty grunted. "Snap out of it!"
"Yeah, look alive, Timbe!"
Link's insult succeeded, and the boy's eyes abruptly lost their glazed look. "Don't call me tha-huh?" Timbre stopped. "What? What happened?"
"Don't you remember?" Sond's smirk was delightfully smug.
"Gross," Timbre began rubbing at his 'befouled' cheek with a scowl.
Sond and Kat started tittering again, and they all laughed.
"It's not funny!" Timbre growled irritably.
"Why, dear master Timbe," Link teased, putting on airs. "I do believe you are blushing."
"Am not!" Timbre self-consciously clapped both hands over his face.
"They aren't exactly lying," Kafei pointed out solemnly.
"Rrgh!"
"Okay, okay, lay off," Ty said finally, after regaining his own composure. He clapped Timbre on the back. "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. Let's head back to town and find a late lunch."
There were several sounds of agreement at this, and they turned their backs on Milk Road. With a little convincing, Timbre finally pulled his hands away from his face.
"Well, all's well that ends well, or something like that," he said quietly.
Kat frowned slightly. "You say that as if it was a bad thing."
Timbre merely shrugged noncommittally. Ahead of them, Link and Ty were already entrenched in a heated argument over where to go for lunch.
"She'll be back," Kat said quietly, so the other boys wouldn't overhear.
Timbre pretended not to hear her, though Kat thought he had nodded ever so slightly. Sond bobbed up in between them.
"C'mon, cheer up!" she said happily. "We have the whole rest of the summer to look forward to! Isn't that worth being happy about?"
"Yeah," Timbre agreed, staring back down the road where the small cart had long vanished. "I guess it is." He gave the merest hint of a smile as he turned and followed his friends back towards the gates of Clock Town, the rest of the summer still ahead of them.
THE END
A/N: And that's it. Thank you for reading An Act to Follow HD! I'm hoping to post updates on some new stories soon. Feedback is of course gratefully appreciated, as are questions. Until next time!