Prologue: ?
As it turns out, my rescuer is named Butch. He's no-nonsense, perhaps fifteen or sixteen years old, and he owns the field that I'd been stumbling through. He grumbles something about trespassing as he leads me up a main street, but then I see his smile, and I realise that he's joking.
The buildings here are diverse, a mix of old and new. Silhouettes of spires jut out from what looks to be a church, but to the right, there's some sort of manufacturing plant, emitting cold, black fog. I can't help but notice pockets of tradition among the developments, a marketplace, a town hall, thatched rooves; rich, wooden browns clashing with plain, grey concrete.
We reach a central square, where paths split off wildly in different directions, each leading toward more houses. Here, the buildings are older, oaken, some admittedly derelict, some strikingly beautiful. In the middle of the square is what looks to be a well, probably the water source for the entire village. There's a banner hanging from it, painted words caught in the moonlight.
Welcome Porky Minch to Tazmily!
"What were you saying about the dead?" I ask, trying to keep the worry from my voice.
"They started appearing about a month ago," Butch says, looking tiredly out to the fields. "We thought it was the youths, at first. Playing one of their tricks. But then, there were faces we recognised. Old Scamp, who died six months ago. Wess, Duster's father, who had that stroke. It was a terrible thing."
"What happened?"
"We checked the cemetery." Butch adjusts his overalls. "The graves were empty. Night by night, the dead appear in our fields, and they try to come into the village. We built that iron fence to keep them out, but it's no good. We shoot them down, and the next day, they come back up again."
"What do they want?" I look out to the horizon, noticing movement amongst the silhouetted trees. "Are they dangerous?"
"It's hard to tell. They'll attack anyone in their path, but their language is indecipherable to us. They're — I don't know how to say this. Inhuman. Changed."
"M'chaps?" A strange-looking man chooses that moment to wander over. "What business do you have at this hour?"
"Ah. Duster," Butch says, giving a reserved nod. The new arrival is skinny, a stark contrast to Butch's substantial form. His hair recedes significantly, and it appears he's tried to counter this by growing a disjointed moustache. "I found this man outside the border," Butch tells him. "There were four of them on him. He was lucky I heard the noises."
"Outside the border?" Duster gives me an appalled stare. "Why would you do something so insane? Say, I ain't seen you 'round before… are you not from these parts?"
"No," I say. "Where is this?"
"Tazmily, of course!" Duster stretches his arms as if trying to encapsulate an entire galaxy. "The great sunflower village."
"I didn't think Tazmily was this modern," I say, frowning. The factory whirs in the distance, active even at this time of night. Behind the town hall glows a row of newly-built shops, all sorts of bright commodities in their windows.
"It wasn't," Butch says drily. "However, we're preparing for war."
"War?" I stare, unnerved.
"Yes. Onett City has vowed to raze us to the ground, on account of some long-standing feud."
"They won't do it," Duster declares. "Never will they take our village."
"Where are you finding the money?" I ask.
"Good question." Butch gives a weak smile. "That's all thanks to our new benefactor, Mr Porky Minch-"
"-A wonderful man!" Duster interjects.
"...Who is investing in our economy," Butch continues. "He's going to save us from the Dead Alive and help us defeat the Onetian forces. At least, that's what he claims."
"Don't trust him," I say at once. "Porky claims a lot of things. He's lying, he's helping out Onett as well."
But Duster scoffs. "You foreigners, all of little faith… Porky is a miracle! He has a secret weapon, just for us!"
"And what would that be?"
"Ah, I shouldn't tell..." Duster taps his nose, his eyes sparkling in the moonlight. "You could be a spy. But, you did not say, what is your name?"
"Steven," I say, lying on the spot.
"Steven?" Duster says. "A fine name, m'fella. Are you perchance needing a place to stay?"
"Yes, actually," I say, and Duster waves towards a ramshackle house.
"In that case, come with me, come inside! Plenty of room, and I can give you some stew... yes, yes, that'll be perfect, come on..."
He's already heading away, and so, bemused by his sudden hospitality, I follow, thanking Butch for rescuing me from the monsters. Butch nods, disappearing, and I step into the hallway, feeling only a little bit safer.
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(Ness)
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The darkness is here, thick, black, and cold. My body throws itself onward, a deafening noise erupting behind me. One hand grips Lucas, and the other flails against rock, dirt, and stone. There's no hope, no light at the end of the tunnel. There's nowhere to go, only death and demise. Dark Pit is gone. Our friends are gone. We will never be found, and as soon as I think that, Lucas jolts, stumbling, falling.
Everything swims. My elbow strikes the floor. I tumble into Lucas, finding his cheeks in my hands. Panic builds, and then I do just about the worst thing I can.
I kiss him on the lips.
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~~o00o~~
Chapter 15: The Damage Done
(Ness)
~~o00o~~
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'Loud-mouthed' wouldn't be the correct word to describe my younger self. 'Lively,' sure, 'enthusiastic,' definitely, but at home, I never got a word in edgeways.
Mother says I was often running around as a child. Tracy and I would play throughout our giant bungalow, oblivious to the trials and tribulations of adulthood. We did not know much other than school, friends, and games, and although Father allowed this for a while, at age seven, playtime was over for good.
After that, it was cold, hard studying. I was to be a slave to the books, to be the best I could be. I was to make connections in school, to talk to the girls with the rich fathers, to talk to the boys who'd inherit big businesses. I would work hard for my exams. I always passed — passing was good! But it wasn't quite good enough, and so the rift from perfection began to form.
There was always room for improvement. There was always space for me to become a little bit better, a little closer to the ideal me. I was never quite right. I strived persistently, aiming higher to reach the stronger men, the ones who looked as though they could kill me with one punch. But the older I got, the further from excellence I seemed to drift.
Tracy refused. She refused to work, refused to obey, and so Father dealt with her harshly, and that was the end of the matter.
Which is why I need to fix myself. I'm the golden child, because I'm the one who Father can force to do his bidding. The weights rest on my shoulders. I must marry a girl, must carry the great family name forward. The love of Father depends on it.
Standing in Ryu's office, I don't think I've ever felt more guilty.
Why did I kiss Lucas? How did I kiss Lucas? What primal part of my instinct decided that in a life-or-death situation, the best thing to do was to exchange saliva with my closest friend?
He hasn't spoken of it. But I can practically read it in his eyes, his thoughts; he must be thinking such terrible things. Lucas is a man. I cannot be going around kissing men.
Kissing a man? That's quite homosexual.
I'm rather aware of that, Buttercup. Thank you for yet another acute observation. Held in a sort of silent panic, I listen to Ryu's not-angry-just-disappointed voice.
"You two have been getting involved in a lot of strange things, lately," he says. "Almost as though you are looking for trouble."
"I-It's my fault," Pit stammers, shaking hard through his tears. "M-Me and Dark Pit, w-we got an in-invitation…"
Villager tries to pat Pit on the back, but Pit shrinks away, covering his face with his hands. Ryu observes them, showing no signs of having noticed anything amiss.
"An invitation?"
"It led us to a chamber," Villager says, answering for him. "Toon Link — he saw what was in it."
Ryu turns. "Well?"
"It was just — machinery," Toon Link says with a gulp. "All there in the darkness, covered in pipes and everything. There was someone in a cloak, they – they reached out, they grabbed Dark Pit, and they took him away."
"Then the rockfall happened," Villager says. "And it was all falling down—"
"And it was chaos—"
"And darkness—"
"And—"
"And—"
"Quiet!" Ryu commands. "So, for the sake of my understanding. You obliquely believed this invitation?"
"I - I did," Pit says glumly. "The rest of them tried to s-stop me."
"I see." Ryu shifts. This time, he isn't so good at hiding his unease. "I will ensure a rescue team attempts to retrieve Dark Pit from this... chamber."
"Please," Pit says desperately.
"But what happened?" Lucas asks, finally speaking up. "If I may, Professor, how did you find us?"
"Toon Link and Villager came to my office," he explains. "They told me you were trapped in the passages. I came as quickly as I could."
"The rockfall stopped," I recall, my voice hoarse.
"That was fortunate. You might've been crushed otherwise."
"Why did it stop?"
"You seem to have a remarkable penchant for escaping trouble," Ryu says. "Perhaps luck is on your side."
There's a momentary silence. I cast a glance at Lucas, who doesn't seem to be avoiding my gaze, but he still hasn't mentioned the kiss. Perhaps he's saving it for later, when we're in private. Perhaps he'll want me to kiss him again. That thought makes me uncomfortably giddy.
Toon Link is the first to speak up. "So, what now?"
"Nothing," Ryu says simply, folding his hands. "Except, I would once again strongly advise that you stop doing dangerous things. A lot is at stake, more than any of you may know."
"What is at stake?" Villager asks.
"It would take far too long to explain. But, go. Pit, we will do our best to locate your brother, understood?"
Pit does not respond, hysterically chewing his lip.
"Thank you, Professor," Lucas says, getting up and leaving. I mumble a "thank you" too, and we take ourselves from the office.
Father would be furious with me. He's always been against anything remotely homosexual. It's not that he's particularly religious or fond of the law, it's more that he expects me to have a successor, to have children of my own. His reputation would be in tatters if it was discovered that he, the owner of the single largest corporation in Onett, had a homosexual son.
What he wants is so mundane. So devoid of creativity, interest. But if I don't follow the pattern he's laid out, he'll be angry.
I cannot face that again.
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It's Monday, 5:19 pm. I'm fifteen years old, and it's the summer holidays. Father has called me into his office to talk, and I'm afraid. With Father, talks quickly become shouts.
In my mind, I run through everything I might've done wrong. I've studied what I was asked to study. I've stayed in the house, and I haven't stolen food from the kitchen. Eyeing the mahogany wood of the desk, I know that whatever this may be, it won't be a good thing. Father doesn't call me in to compliment me, or to say, 'well done, Ness'.
That hasn't happened in years.
"We need to have a discussion," Father says at last. "We need to discuss why you haven't brought any girls home."
I squirm in my chair. Of all the topics, this one embarrasses me the most.
"You go to a co-educational school," Father continues, leaning over his desk. "I sent you there deliberately. You should've at least met somebody by now."
I stare into my lap, silent. I don't know what to say. I've never prioritised courting. Father's already angry, though. Perhaps he's been drinking. He's red in the face.
"Well?"
"I've been focusing on my studies," I say. "Like you asked me to—"
"That's a poor excuse, Ness. You are capable of applying yourself."
"I'm sorry."
"'I'm sorry' won't give me a daughter-in-law. 'I'm sorry' won't give you the life you want."
"I don't want your life," I say.
There's a horrible beat of silence.
Father's voice is unusually quiet. "What did you just say to me?"
"I said, I don't want your life."
There's another awful silence, the vein in his temple throbbing.
"DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I DO FOR YOU?"
"I'm sorry!"
"DAY BY DAY I WORK TO GIVE YOU A ROOF TO LIVE UNDER, TO BUY FOOD TO FEED YOUR UNGRATEFUL MOUTH—"
"I'm sorry!" I wail, curling into a ball on the chair.
"You are pathetic," he snarls. "Crying like a little child. You never change, do you? Always the same, sorry, snivelling bastard."
"I'm s-sorry, dad!"
"Don't speak to me. I don't want to hear another word from your faggot mouth. Get out. OUT!"
I stand, shaking, tears rolling down my cheeks. I know better than to speak out of turn. I'm stupid, so ungrateful, pathetic, and wrong.
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And that's why I must conform. I cannot be one of those sodomites, cannot be abnormal, it simply cannot be the case. I'll stamp these feelings out, perhaps. I'll find a nice girl and settle down.
Emptily, I enter the sitting-room on the third floor. Lucas supports a sobbing Pit. Tragedy surrounds me, everywhere I go. Perhaps it's my fault; I could've done a better job of convincing them not to go down there. I could've done anything else, could've done everything better. Now Dark Pit is gone, trapped with whatever Toon Link saw behind the rubble. Everyone looks so gloomy, lost in dark thoughts. I sit next to Lucas, but I sit far enough away that I'm not infringing on his space, ensuring there's no risk of me kissing him again.
You are vile.
It's not just that I'm worried about Father. Lucas trusts me, he trusts me to watch out for him, to be a decent friend. I've shattered that trust, violated him in ways he couldn't possibly have wanted. The law prohibits homosexual behaviour, and Lucas doesn't need any of that in his life.
Pit sits on Lucas's other side, curled up in a ball. It's a dark day for him. Even if I've been a fool, at least I've got the person whom I love the most. The thought calms me slightly, but then I'm angry again, angry at myself for thinking that, because it's not fair that the good people are suffering so much, when it should be me. I can withstand whatever's thrown at me. Lucas, Pit, Dark Pit and Toon Link don't deserve all they're enduring. It's simply not right.
Lucas senses my disquiet, and he moves to hug me, but I shake him off, worrying about his lips, how soft and pink they are. He shrinks back, saddened, and I bury my head in my hands.
"What did you see in there, Toon Link?" Villager asks, penetrating the silence.
"As I said, machinery." Toon Link looks up and shudders. "It was all metallic, there was a lot of steel… it was awful."
"I have to go down there," Pit murmurs.
"No, you don't." Lucas pats him firmly on the shoulder.
"Yes, I do," Pit says, shrinking away from the touch. "I need to find my brother."
"That's not a good idea," Villager reprimands. "Please don't put yourself in danger."
"Dark Pit is all I have."
"Look, Pit," Toon Link begins. "You are not responsible for what happened, so you are not responsible for getting him out of there—"
"Yes, I am!" Pit exclaims, staring at Toon Link like he's insane. "If someone you loved was stuck somewhere, no matter whose fault it was, you'd do whatever the hell it took to get them back!"
"Not if it meant I might die."
"He's my twin brother! If anyone can save him, it's me—"
"Ryu said he'd gather a search party—"
"But Dark Pit might be dead before they reach him!"
"And you expect to reach him quicker than professionals?"
"No, b-but I can try!" Pit curls up, rocking back and forth on the sofa. His voice cracks. "I can try, okay?"
There's a resounding silence.
"Look," Villager says eventually. "We care about you, both you and Dark Pit. I know it's hard, but please, don't be irrational. It's not worth it."
But Pit springs from his seat. "I grew up with him, Villager! He was my entire life, the only constant I've ever had! He was there when Palutena was kidnapped, when Medusa herself came to our family home — Dark Pit isn't even his real name, it's Pittoo, Dark Pit is just a nickname, and, I don't know what I'm going to do without him, I don't — I cannot!"
And with that, he runs out of the room. Toon Link rises at once, and he follows.
There's an uncomfortable pause. Villager, Lucas and I look around at each other, unsure what to say, how to process the situation.
"Poor Pit," Villager whispers.
"Yes." Lucas's voice is hoarse. "Losing a brother is the worst."
The urge to hug him clashes with my newfound need to stay away. I'm hit with a heavy pang of shame, thinking about Claus, the way he disappeared.
"He'll be okay eventually," Villager says, but there's doubt in his voice.
"Lucas saved Pit's life," I say, turning to him. "You made sure he came back with us. You are a hero."
"I suppose." Lucas looks up at me, his eyes watery. "But, but Dark Pit…"
Nothing else needs to be said. Soon, Toon Link comes jogging back into the room.
"It's all right," he says quietly. "He's gone into his dorm. I was checking, just in case…"
"Good thinking," Villager says.
"Where's Red?" Toon Link frowns. "We should probably tell him what is happened."
"Games room, I expect."
I look towards Lucas. He's still not mentioned the kiss. He should be mentioning the kiss, shouldn't he? Perhaps it's been overshadowed; I cannot even begin to fathom what is happened. Dark Pit cannot be trapped in a cave. He won't die, he's going to be all right. Rescued. He has to be. It's the way it's supposed to be.
Lucas is suddenly a lot closer, and when I feel myself gravitating toward him, I'm forced to spring to my feet.
"I - I need a moment."
"Are you alright?" Lucas gives me a pleading look.
"I'm grand. I just, uh. Need to do something!"
But as I run down the corridor, I'm not even sure what it is I need to do. I cannot look at Lucas without thinking of kissing him, without wanting to pull him close and tell him he's mine. Where has this sprung from? When did I become so predatory? That's it; drastic action needs to be taken. I'll have to make a change — I'll have to move out of Lucas's room, in case I start kissing him in my sleep! Toon Link will take me in, he's been wanting to be rid of Link for longer than I can remember, or even better, perhaps Toon Link can take my place. Then Lucas can have a friend who isn't fucked up in the head, a friend who doesn't think a kiss is more important than Dark Pit being dead.
I rush into Toon Link's dormitory. It's smaller than my own, but that's not important. I fling myself onto Toon Link's bed, certain he'll agree to my plan, that he'll make the change in an instant. Why wouldn't he? With as much force as I can muster, I punch his pillow. Anger surges through me, at Buttercup, at Lucas for being so damn kissable, at the Pit twins, especially at Dark Pit for being in so much trouble.
"And then I said—" Link freezes, noticing me through the doorway. "Who the hell are you?"
Just what I needed.
"Nobody." I sit up, peeling my face from Toon Link's mattress. "What are you doing here?"
"Ah, a child!" He recoils, disgusted. "You don't live in this room."
"Neither does she," I say, pointing at Zelda, who emerges from behind her boyfriend.
"I'm letting her in. That's different."
"Toon Link let me in," I lie.
"And I'm letting you out." Link strolls forwards, hitting his fist into his hand in an annoyingly dignified manner.
"Link-y," Zelda simpers. "No fighting, remember?"
"He's in my room!"
I stand. "It's Toon Link's room as well!"
But Link rolls his eyes. He takes a handful of my shirt, dragging me out of Toon Link's bed and onto the floor.
"Need I convince you further, little boy?"
"No." I get up, spitting the taste of cheap deodorant from my mouth. "You are a wretch."
"And you are a child."
"At least I'm not a no-good, big-headed, self-conceited…"
"…Rich, intelligent, good-looking…" Link interrupts, and Zelda giggles.
"This is infantile." I fold my arms. "I'm your new dormmate. Surprise."
Link gives a great cry of laughter, practically stamping his foot with mirth. "Okay, that one was funny. I'll give you that."
"Toon Link shall room with Lucas, and I shall stay here. That's final."
"Oh, he's serious!" Link chuckles heartily. "Well, boo-hoo. Did you and your little friend have an argument?"
"That's none of your business."
"Just give it up," Link laughs. "If your arrangement manifests, then you'll be sleeping outside the door."
"Fine by me!"
"Great. Now, how about you stop throwing a tantrum? You've got one more chance to leave before I make you."
"I won't leave," I say. His expression is infuriating.
"Three…"
Rage fills me, white-hot. I hate him, suddenly, for thinking he can control me.
"Two…"
I want to leap at him and punch his smug face to a pulp. Who does he think he is?
"One—"
The door opens. Toon Link steps inside.
"Uh, what is happening?"
"Hello, Toon Link." Link relents slightly. "One of your baby friends is squatting here. Some bull about him being my new dormmate."
"Good to hear you are still a pathological liar," Toon Link says. "I couldn't care less, by the way. Get out of here."
"Get out? But me and Zelda have plans!"
"It's Zelda and I. Don't you know anything?"
Now it's Link's turn to be angry. "Shut it, Beta-Link!"
"Ryu wants to talk to you," Toon Link lies, flopping easily on his bed.
"Ryu be damned! Zelda, make haste, we shall depart to see what Professor Ryu requires."
The pair hurry off, and Toon Link leans back on his bed. "Sorry about that. I hope he wasn't too bad."
"He threatened to throw me out of the room with his bare hands."
"How uncharacteristically charming," Toon Link says. "You should try living with him."
"Well—"
"But what are you doing here?" Toon Link sits up, tossing his pillow between his hands. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I lie.
"Ness, you are not fine. You are about as fine as Bowser."
"It's just. Complex." I stare down at my feet. "You know how these things are."
"Come on." Toon Link shuffles up beside me, squishing his pillow behind his back. "You helped with my troubles. Please, let me help you with yours."
I give in. I begin to talk.
"I did something bad," I say. Toon Link would understand, right? Toon Link wouldn't look down upon me. He wouldn't tell the police.
"Go on," he says calmly.
"When the roof was caving in, we fell over, and I thought, well, I thought we were for it, so I, uh. For some reason, I kissed Lucas. On the lips."
"With tongue?"
"I — does that matter?"
"Not necessarily," Toon Link says, smirking. "But, ha! I knew it!"
"Knew what?" I look at him, utterly bewildered.
"You are hitched up on Lucas!"
"No, I am not!" I say, turning a furious shade of red. "No — I don't think of men in that… manner. I don't know why I kissed him, he probably hated it. Now he probably hates me as well."
"Excuse me," Toon Link says, sitting back down again. "Slow down there, Ness. You know, it's not so bad if you are fond of men."
"Except for the fact it's illegal and would have me sent to the gallows."
"Well, only if you actually buggered some poor man. Besides, you don't have to tell anyone."
"But I'm not!" I say, shuddering. "I - I don't want to be that way, Toon Link. I cannot be."
His expression is kinder than I've ever seen it. He gives me a strange sort of one-armed hug, and I feel immediately like a small child.
"Seriously," Toon Link says. "It's all right. Sure, people die for it. Sure, that Criminal Law Amendment Act outlaws all homosexual deeds, but I don't think there should be anything wrong with it."
"Well — w-what does that matter?" I stammer.
"Look, perhaps Lucas did not even notice amid the chaos," Toon Link says. "He didn't seem shaken up or anything. He's certainly not mentioned it to us, let alone the police, and even if he did feel it, he's completely smitten with you. I bet you tuppence he liked it."
"But Lucas is normal," I say, though I'm suddenly unsure where I got this information. Last I checked, Lucas wasn't feeling too much attraction towards girls either.
"Normal, my arse. He probably doesn't even know what a kiss is, let alone whether he fancies women."
"Well, regardless, I broke his trust." I sink my face into my knees. Toon Link sighs, patting me on the shoulder.
"Ness, don't destroy yourself over this. It's finished. You should move on."
"I suppose that makes sense." I unfold myself, now more frustrated than anything.
"Great. So, uh." Toon Link pauses. "You never said, why exactly did you come into my dormitory?"
"Because," I say plaintively, "What if I do it again? What if I kiss him again and it ruins everything? Here, I was thinking we could swap rooms. You'd be away from Link, you and Lucas could become companions, and I could stay here, out of harm's way."
But Toon Link looks appalled at the very thought. "You've gone insane, Ness! Lucas needs you, you need him. You depend on one another. If you take yourself away from him, well, that'd hurt far more than if you kissed him."
Toon Link's words hit softly. I do need him. I need him more and more each day. I feel my steely resolve melting away.
"Perhaps you are right. When did you become so wise?"
"Hm, I'm not that wise," Toon Link says. "Here's an idea. You and Lucas can sleep over here tonight, and we can stay up late and have a grand old time. Tomorrow morning, we'll sleep in. If you try to kiss Lucas again, then I'll stop you, all right? We can invite Villager and Red."
"That sounds wonderful," I say honestly. "Thank you."
"It's no matter," Toon Link laughs. "But, look, Ness. It takes a long, long time to start thinking beyond the law. I'm, like. Well, not an expert, but I'm happy to discuss things, y'know?"
"I don't like men," I protest. "Why are you so sure I do?"
Toon Link is silent for a bit, and then he glances surreptitiously at the ground.
"Well… I've been there."
"You've — what?" I pause, the pieces coming together. "You mean, you are…?"
"Yes." Toon Link grins, evidently nervous. He's shaking. "Not a homosexual, mind, but, uh. I swing both ways, I think. I don't quite know. I've never told anyone before."
"Your big dark secret!" I recall. "But, hold on. How can you say it's all right to fancy men, and then call it a big dark secret?"
"That was something else," Toon Link says, wincing. "We're not discussing that. But, uh, that's not all…"
"Huh?"
"Promise me you won't laugh?"
"Yes. Of course."
I'm hit with a sudden certainty. What Toon Link is about to say could cause a lot of discomfort. I silently prepare the rejection in my head. It's not you, it's me…
"Well," he says, a bright red. "I may or may not be fond of Villager."
My mouth opens with amazement. "Toon Link!"
"Yes, yes, but you cannot tell anyone, understood?"
"Does he feel the same?" I ask, infinitely curious about this new development. "How long has this been going on?"
"I have no idea."
"Then you simply have to ask him!"
"I cannot! He'll think me mad."
"He already thinks you mad!"
"Excuse me!" Toon Link folds his arms. "Ness, this is a serious discussion."
"Not after you dropped that bombshell!"
Toon Link laughs, leaning back. I suddenly feel a hell of a lot more at ease. Toon Link is surprisingly good at that.
"I might ask him," Toon Link says, calming down a little. "But I don't know. It's like you said, the law, all of that. Enough about me, though, is there anything else troubling you?"
I think. The grave. Future Humans. The figurine in Ryu's office. The Face. But perhaps, all of that should stay between me and Lucas. It's our burden, after all.
"Not especially," I say. "Is there anything else troubling you, Toon Link?"
"Only the usual." He shrugs, weary. "Inkling, still. Big Dark Secret yonder. I don't fancy discussing it again."
"That's all right," I say.
He pats me on the shoulder. "Thank you, Ness. Come on, we should see the others."
"Yes. Good idea."
But unfortunately, as soon as we stand, Link comes charging back into the room, a bedraggled Zelda in tow.
"It was a trick!" Link points dramatically. "Ryu did not summon me."
"Congratulations," Toon Link says, slowly clapping. "You saw through my cunning ruse."
"You are lucky I don't expel you from this room! And what is your baby friend still doing here?"
"We were just leaving. What is your girlfriend still doing here?"
"I will duel you," Link snarls.
"Link-y," Zelda sighs, more exasperated this time. "Swords are banned in school, remember?"
"Curses! You are right… I will have to use other means."
"Naturally," Toon Link says, unfazed. "By the way, three more friends of mine are staying the night."
"That is not happening!" Link exclaims. "I am not having any of your midget friends interrupting Zelda and I's alone time—"
"It's 'me and Zelda's,' not 'Zelda and I's'."
"Silence!" Link stamps his foot. "Me and Zelda are—"
"Zelda and I."
"I will kill you in cold blood! Zelda and I ARE getting it on tonight, and—"
"Vile!" Toon Link pulls a disgusted face. "I don't want to know about your miserable sex life. Just go up to her room or something."
Link goes purple with rage. "That's... a good idea, which is extremely annoying!"
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.
.
We reconvene in the sitting-room, where the others are still silent. But at least I'm not feeling like a hollow pit anymore, doomed to eternal damnation and deserving of eternal suffering. Which is always rather good. It also means I can think clearly again.
Dark Pit is trapped. I suppose he will be found eventually, hopefully unharmed. Who would kidnap to kill, anyway? Most likely it's a slave trader or someone equally foul. Besides, the professors know about the passageways now, they'll catch anyone funnelling out children. The outlook isn't so bad.
As for me, I kissed Lucas. However, he might not have noticed, and he certainly doesn't seem to be acting as though he hates me. I'll consider it, I'll determine if I actually think that way concerning him. How that will happen, I do not know, but it has to, if I am even to question the problem of Father.
I sigh, contented. I quite like my rational side. It must be nice to be rational all the time, like Lucas is. He never gets angry at me. He's always thoughtful, he never fails to notice little details, and Toon Link's right.
I need him. He's my favourite person in the universe.
That's why summers and holidays are so hard. We spend all our time together at school, and it's hard to go back to a life of scarcely being in each other's company. I can hardly rely on Father to let me go out and see him, and I have no real friends from outside of school, unless Inkling counts. I wonder if Toon Link's right about her. It really is as if she has disappeared from the face of the earth. But there has to be some semblance remaining somewhere, we cannot have simply imagined her...
In the haze of the sitting-room, I get to writing a letter:
Hello Tracy,
I know I wrote to you already, but there are some urgent matters at hand:
Do you remember my friend Inkling? I've been thinking a lot about her, lately, and I realised we're not entirely certain where she's gone. Have you seen her around the city? She'd be the same age as me.
On another note, I think you are right. There's a chance I may fancy men. That's a terrifying notion at the moment, but I suppose it's one of those things I'll have to wrangle over time.
My friend Toon Link reckons I'm enamoured with Lucas (him and everyone else I've ever met) and I'm beginning to wonder if it's true. You see, when I imagine my future, I imagine it with him, and I cannot see it in any other way. And he's so wonderful, you know? You always thought him good, I know you did. Even when you locked us in the bathroom.
And Father wouldn't like it at all. He's always wanted me to be this big businessman, like him, to inherit the mining corporation when he's gone. But you know what? I think I'd sell it off. That money could be used for greater things. My point is, even though Father thinks I need to be out courting, and that I need to be this big family man, I meant what I said all those years ago.
I don't want his life. I want to live for myself.
Ness.