Post T.A.A.H

Siegfried was not responsible for Mini. The child was Link's charge and Link's responsibility alone. Therefore the knight was not obligated to show the boy even a small ounce of kindness, or show any kind of leniency when the boy did something wrong. In fact Siegfried had been told not to do so by many of the Smashers in the mansion.

He thought it cruel at the time to say something like that, but then they went on to explain themselves. They said that the boy had taken to causing mischief in order to gain attention. Some theorized that it was connected to Windwaker's appearance, and Mini's subsequent 'break' from fighting in the tournament. They also believed that Mini was trying to prove to Link that he was still around by behaving badly. Children often did not care what kind of attention they received so long as it was theirs in some form. Mini happened to prefer the bad over the good these days.

The rest of the Mansion's occupants did not want to encourage the bad behavior. They suggested that Siegfried simply ignore it when the boy did something wrong. Better to let one of the other firmer Smasher's deal with him, or bring it to Link's attention so that he could take care of it later. It made sense, but…

"Who did this?" Peach narrowed her eyes at the Smashers lined up in front of her. Siegfried was first, followed by Captain Falcon, Wolf, Windwaker, Snake, and ending with Mini. The princess' arms were crossed and her tone was serious as she gazed from the people in front of her to the broken microwave behind her. "What smart guy decided to microwave something in aluminum foil?"

Siegfried found his eyes darting to Windwaker, who was busy glaring at Mini. The boy's eyes were glued to his shoes as they shuffled back and forth. He was the pinnacle of guilt and it would not take long for Peach to figure it out. He really should just do as he was told and leave the kid to deal with the consequences of actions.

"I did it." He called out instead, making the princess turn her attention to him. "I was trying to heat up some leftovers from yesterday, and I forgot about what you said about foil in the microwave." For added measure the knight began scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "I guess I'm still no good at using this mansions technology." It wasn't as though he was lying. He still had a hard time using the mansions various advanced items, especially when it came to the kitchen. He could barely boil water. "I'm sorry. I'll clean it up."

Peach's eyes softened, and after a gentle scolding she and the other Smashers left the kitchen to leave him to his work.

Siegfried had been about to begin his task, even though he had no earthly idea how to proceed, when he felt a tug on his pants. There was Mini, eyes shaking slightly, and a small smile on his face.

Siegfried smiled back and ruffled the boy's hair. "You're welcome." That said, he turned the child around and gave him a playful push. "Now go play, and no more blowing these things up."

Mini happily bounded out of the room.

Pre T.A.A.H

Whenever Link and Maxi went out on an assignment together, something outrageous and ridiculous was bound to happen. Neither knew why, knew how, nor what to do to stop it. There was not once instance when the pattern did not repeat itself, though it was never from lack of trying. It was never with any other pair either. Never Siegfried and Link. Never Maxi and Kilik. Never Yunseong and Maxi. Never Yoshimitsu and Link. It was always Maxi and Link who got the sour end of the deal when traveling together.

The pair had been through just about everything. They had been captured by a cult, mistaken for fugitives and run out of town, had their wallets stolen right from their pockets by a group of armed bandits, been chased around by just about every dangerous wild animal in a traveling circus, caused extensive damage to a weapons shop, accidently walked in on a women's changing room, and had been ogled and groped by some very unsavory characters. There was nothing they could claim had not befallen them.

Their bad luck never failed, and their outings never failed to amuse their teammates. They should have learned to never answer when asked what had happened to make them return to camp so late. They should have learned to lie. It was just that half the time they forgot how immature their team was, and half the time they were too tired to come up with plausible stories. One outing they never spoke of, however, was the last they had ever taken before Link's departure back to Hyrule.

The task given to them was simple. Gather medical supplies and bring them back for the other's use. Simple enough really, and it should have only taken them about half a day to complete. The two of them should have known better than to expect things to run out well, because really, it never had before.

That night they found themselves captured by a rag tag group of heavily armed drunk sailors in a bar. Unable to get free of the establishment as they were, even though they had managed to free themselves of their bindings, the two had somehow found themselves sneaking into a nearby brothel dressed like ladies of the night. They had spent about an hour convincing the other women that they were new to the place, and another three trying to convince the Madame of the house to let them try and find work outside. After that it was another two hours until they were able to find a place to change, while simultaneously avoiding actual desperate customers, and walk back to the base.

When they returned, clothes doused in sparkles, smelling like the back ally of seedy inns, looking like they had tried to rid their faces of some kind of permanent paint, they had refused to tell the rest of the group what had transpired. And they vowed to never speak of it again.

StormBlitz: Hey! My fave Soul Calibur guy appeared.

Fang: What are you doing here?

MistressOfTime: She's a guest today Fang, calm down.

Fang: *grumbles*

MistressOfTime: Alright guys this chapter is lucky number twelve!

Fang: Twelve is your lucky number. Not theirs.

MistressOfTime: Yeah, well, today it's theirs too. Because they get some special news regarding the number twelve. Ready Storm?

StormBlitz: Alright guys, these drabbles sure have been fun, but I bet you're all wishing To Aid A Hero would be updated too, right? Mistress heard your silent prayers and decided to give you all a brand new installment on her 19'th birthday. So you'll all receive a new chapter on the 12'th of May. Please hold your applause.

MistressOfTime: You guys will probably get about three more of these before the new chapter is done, so they should hold you off until then. See you guys later!

Fang: Why'd you have her announce it?