Zelda the Grey Quiet One
Book 1 – Of Butterflies and Elves
Chapter Five – Pitching a Tent
Summary: I'm nothing like my sister. While she's out and about exploring the wilderness. I spend most of my days huddled around the fireplace reading books, watching DVDs, snuggling Twig, and all in all being a smol couch potato. When ideas of moving to the city popped up, she was distressed, while I was apathetic.
*~~oOo~~*
F.R.I.E.N.D.S
Sinon and Aaliyah, a pair of Sparrow Scouts, stand toe-to-toe, locked in a heated staring match.
The faint rustle of leaves and the distant hum of city life almost make the moment seem calm—almost.
Here in this little pocket park, tucked between buildings, all their focus is fixed on one thing: who's right about setting up this tent? The crumpled fabric sprawls awkwardly between them, a silent casualty of their disagreement.
A girl with striking blue hair appears in their peripheral vision. She takes in the scene—two tense scouts, a half-collapsed tent, and the scattered supplies with a look of mild curiosity.
"Hey!" Hilda calls out, "Need some help with the tent?" She offers, "I've had my fair share of camping in the wilderness. I'm an expert." She confidently says.
The two stop their bickering to stare at her. Before Sinon can open his big fat mouth and dismiss her, Aaliyah slaps her hand over it.
"We'd be delighted to get some help!" Aaliyah says eagerly, shooting Sinon a glare that makes him roll his eyes.
Hilda steps closer, inspecting the deflated tent sprawled awkwardly on the grass. "Alright, first off, you've got the poles all wrong. They should go here," she instructs, as she kneels to correct it. "That doesn't go there and—mhm, and this should go in here."
Aaliyah watches as Hilda works her magic. "What's next?" She asks.
Meanwhile, Sinon at the back, follows along with the manual.
"Then you need to tension the guylines properly to keep the structure stable," Hilda explains, pulling on said line and the two Sparrow Scouts yelp in surprise as their stent erects up. "—And make sure the fly is anchored down; otherwise, it'll sag and collect water."
With deft hands, she ties some essential knots with quick precision, her focus unwavering. A quick tidying here and there, followed by the thud of a wooden stake hammered into the ground to tether the tent securely and wallah!
"There! Good enough to withstand a tornado," Hilda declares, stepping back to admire her handiwork.
"Amazing. You make it look so easy," Aaliyah murmurs, as she runs a hand along the now-sturdy tent.
Sinon circles the structure, glancing back and forth between the setup and the manual. To his surprise, it looks strikingly similar—if not, dare I say, better than what's illustrated.
"Thanks," Hilda replies, a hint of modesty creeping in as she rubs the back of her neck.
"No, thank you! Without you we would've been at each other's throats than building a tent," Aaliyah says, shaking Hilda's hand earnestly. "I'm Aaliyah."
"Hilda," she replies.
"And this chubby grub is Sinon," Aaliyah adds, nodding toward the boy with short blonde hair.
Sinon scoffs, crossing his arms defensively. "It's baby fat! I'll grow out of it when I hit puberty and tower over you lot." He grumbles. "But yeah, thanks for the help," he mumbles, giving Hilda a begrudging nod of appreciation.
…
After an awkward silence, the three of them shift on their feet, each stealing glances at the others as if expecting someone to break it. Hilda taps her fingers against her thigh, eyes flicking from Sinon to Aaliyah and then to the tent.
"Sooo," she finally says, drawing out the word and raising an eyebrow, "Why are you setting up a perfectly good tent in the middle of the city? Are you planning to camp here?" The corners of her mouth twitch upwards, finding the notion absurd.
Sinon snorts. "No, no. We're not that stupid," he says, his eyes darting to Aaliyah, who chuckles and rolls her eyes. "We're doing this as a refresher for our badge activity—the Wilderness Survival Badge," he says with a bit of mock importance.
He puffs out his chest to show off said badge on his red sash. Along with the neatly arranged badges that catch the sunlight.
Aaliyah, not to be outdone, also shows her own sash and adds, "It's all part of our preparation for the end-of-the-year camping trip to the Huldrawoods," she explains, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
"And, as you can see from our, uhmm," she pauses, searching for the right words, "—Stellar attempt at setting a tent earlier," she gestures with a sweeping motion, "We definitely need all the practice and help we could get." She sheepishly admits, rubbing the back of her neck.
Hilda nods, albeit stifling a chuckle at the memory, "I guess that makes sense,".
"So, I suppose you'll be going over the other basics of camping?" She asks with a tilt of her head.
"Yup, that's today's Sparrow Scout activity," Aaliyah says, straightening with newfound confidence.
"Then, have you guys gone over how to make a fire?" Hilda's eyes glint with the question as if probing for more than just a simple answer.
Sinon immediately holds up a tiny red box. "Sure did, with simple matchsticks!" He beams, the small wooden sticks rattling as he shakes the box lightly.
Hilda's brows knit together as she leans forward slightly. "Oh? But what if the wood's damp or you lose your matchstick?" Her voice stays steady, but there's a pointed note that makes the two Scouts glance at each other, uncertainty flickering between them.
"Uh, then we'd just go old-school with the sticks and all that," Aaliyah ventures, looking at Sinon as if hoping he'd jump in. Sinon shifts, and just shrugs.
Hilda's grilling didn't waver. "And what about foraging for food?" she presses. "Let's say you're out in the wild and your supplies run out. What would you look for?"
Sinon's mouth twitches. "Well, that wouldn't happen—our parents would pack us loads of food," he says, almost defensively.
"Humour me," Hilda prompts.
Aaliyah's cheeks flush as she fumbles for an answer. "Um, berries, maybe? The red ones?"
A small, knowing smile tugs at the corner of Hilda's lips. "Red isn't always safe," she says, her tone steady but carrying the weight of caution. "You'd need to know what you're picking—like wild blueberries or dandelion greens. Otherwise, you're risking getting sick. Or worse." The way she says it as if it's a simple fact, sends a shiver through the moment.
Sinon's brow knits, processing the new information. "Okay, but we know how to purify water. We've got the tablets for that," he says, a bit of confidence returning to his voice.
"Good," Hilda nods. "But what if you're out of tablets?"
Sinon straightens, crossing his arms. "That's easy, we'd boil it," he says firmly.
"Right," Hilda approves. "So, you've got your tent, your fire, food, and water. What about keeping bugs and other creatures out of your camp?" She playfully states as if to scare.
Aaliyah, keen on redeeming herself shoots up an answer "Keep the food inside the tent?" she suggests, voice still unsure.
"Nope," Hilda says, shaking her head and the girl lets out an aww. "That's asking for trouble. You need to hang your food in a sealed bag, high up in a tree, and far from your camp." She gestures at a nearby tree, its sturdy branches reaching into the sky.
Aaliyah glances up, whistling. "That's pretty high up."
Sinon steps forward, determination written in his features. He rolls up his sleeves and strides toward the tree, gripping the rough bark. He tries to hoist himself up but slides back down, landing on the grass with a soft thud.
A laugh bubbles up from the girls, lightening the moment.
Hilda steps forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Not every tree is climbable," she assures him.
"Even an experienced adventurer like me would have trouble scaling a big ol' oak like that." She trails off. "In these situations, you have to work smart, not hard."
She picks up a rock and deftly ties a length of rope around it.
The two scouts watch with wide eyes as Hilda takes aim and throws the rock with a practiced flick. It sails over the branch and falls back down, the rope wrapping snugly around the sturdy limb. The end dangles within reach, ready to hoist up a bundle of food.
"Woah," Sinon breathes, giving her a small round of applause at the feat.
Aaliyah walks up to her gushing. "You're a natural at this stuff! Where did you say you lived again?"
Hilda's chest swells with pride as she looks at them. "I'm from the wilderness,"
"How far away from the walls?" Sinon probes.
Hilda blinks, momentarily taken aback. "Oh no, not close at all. I live in the valley, where we're the only humans for miles." She didn't miss the flicker of disappointment crossing their faces.
"Oh," Sinon mumbles.
"That's... that's scary," Aaliyah says, a shiver running through her as she imagines it. "Living in a place where Trolls roam," she shivers at the notion, sinking further into her magenta hijab.
"No, no. We stay far from the mountains to keep away from the Trolls," she explains. Her voice takes on a more mischievous tone as she continues, "The real troublemakers are the tiny, invisible folk called elves."
"Elves?" Sinon echoes, leaning in as if to beckon for more.
A sly look spreads across Hilda's face. "Yup, Elves. Don't underestimate them. They may be tiny, but they're ferocious and frighteningly strict when it comes to paperwork," she adds, a playful gleam in her eye.
The three burst into laughter, the Sparrow Scouts finding the thought of tiny, ferocious elves both absurd and strangely believable, especially given the detailed way Hilda describes them.
"You're quite the character, Hilda. If I were the Raven Leader, I'd be trying to recruit you for the Sparrow Scouts," Sinon says, half-joking but with an earnest gleam in his eye.
Aaliyah's eyes widen with excitement. "That's a brilliant idea, Sinon!" she jumps, giving him an enthusiastic pat on the back that makes him flinch. "One of your rare good ideas, I must say," she adds in a playful matter, drawing an irritated look from Sinon.
Hilda's heart skips a beat. "Really?" she breathes, eyes bright with curiosity and anticipation.
"Absolutely," Aaliyah nods with a wide grin.
Sinon takes a step forward, "So what do you say, Hilda? Care to join the Sparrow Scouts?" He says with an offering hand.
A spark of excitement flares in Hilda's chest, and before she can stop herself, the words tumble out, "I would love to!" Her eyes brighten, and she nearly reaches out to take Sinon's outstretched hand but hesitates, her arm falling limp at the last moment.
Sinon's smile falters as he watches her enthusiasm wane, his hand lingering in the space between them before dropping to his side.
A shadow drifts over Hilda's face, her bangs shifting to partially veil her troubled expression. The rush of joy she felt moments ago fades as one unsettling thought takes hold.
Joining the Sparrow Scouts would mean living in the city.
The idea weighs on her, stirring up conflicted feelings. Sure, it's been nice helping Aaliyah and Sinon, showing them the proper way to set up a tent, guiding them with survival tips—an interaction that's lasted, what, ten minutes?
Yet, those brief moments ignited something long buried: a longing for companionship. Friends. It's what her mother had talked about countless times, her main argument for moving to Trolberg.
But was she truly lonely? She had her sister, Twig, and even Woodman, though she admits with a slight, wry smile that he's hardly a reliable friend. Nope, he doesn't count, not really.
She feels greedy to wants the best of two worlds.
The silence stretches, pressing on her, and she swallows hard, feeling the tightness in her throat.
The awkward pause deepens as Sinon's eyes narrow with concern and Aaliyah's cheerful smile softens into something more tentative. They exchange a quick glance, sensing the sudden shift in the air.
"Hilda, what's wrong are you okay?" Aaliyah's voice is gentle, almost hesitant, the single word hanging between them, unanswered. Hilda's gaze drops to the ground as if searching for an anchor, the ache of indecision gnawing at her. Two worlds, once connected, now feel impossibly distant.
"I—I can't," she finally stammers, the apology barely escaping her lips. "I'm sorry. I can't join the Sparrow Scouts,"
And before they can register what she said, she does the only thing that comes to mind: she runs. The motion is instinctive, a rush of energy that propels her forward, reminding her of the Zelda had fled in the Meadows with the Giant Butterflies.
She's halfway turned when a sudden flash of light splits the sky, freezing her mid-step, heart pounding as the unexpected brilliance casts long shadows around them.
Kra-koom
*~~oOo~~*
A Long Time
Lightning tears across the sky, followed by a crack of thunder that seems to shake the city, as an unexpected downpour unleashes itself. Sheets of rain drench the streets, catching out the unlucky souls without an umbrella.
But tucked away in a pocket park, Aaliyah and Sinon are fortunate—their tent, firmly tethered to the ground with a solid frame, stands strong against the sudden onslaught. The rain flap above redirects the water, keeping their shelter dry, the synthetic material holding up admirably against the pounding rain.
Sinon pokes his head out, eyes squinting against the pelting drops, and mutters, "The weather spirits and their rubbish timing, honestly."
"Raven Leader did say this might happen," Aaliyah replies with a wry smile. "—Told us to pack it in and continue the badge activity tomorrow if it came down to this."
With a resigned sigh, Sinon zips the tent closed, sealing out the deluge. The rain patters steadily on the roof, the sound muffled but constant, the cool dampness seeping through the ground and into the tent floor beneath them.
A beat passes before their gazes drift to Hilda, who sits a bit farther back, thoroughly soaked, her damp hair clinging to her face and her sweater drenched through. She was the last to make it inside, and though she managed to escape the worst of it, she was far from dry.
Aaliyah rummages in her bag and pulls out a towel, offering it to her. "Here, you can dry yourself off with this,"
A Sparrow Scout is always prepared.
Hilda accepts it with a grateful nod, moving carefully as she begins to pat down her sodden red sweater. "Thanks," she murmurs, feeling the welcome warmth of the dry fabric against her skin.
Slowly, she works the towel over her arms and down, until she shifts her focus to her blue hair, running the towel gently through her damp locks.
Sinon and Aaliyah can't help but watch, their eyes tracing the way the fabric slips through each strand.
"Wow, your hair's really pretty," Aaliyah blurts, her admiration plain.
Hilda stops midway, caught off-guard. "T-Thanks," she stammers, cheeks flushing slightly.
It isn't every day that someone outside of her family compliments her hair like that.
"It's so well-kept and vibrant," Aaliyah steps closer, inspecting the blue strands with curious eyes. Hilda, alien to this kind of situation and never one to push others away, lets the excited girl marvel.
"What kind of dye do you use? And, like, what's your routine?"
Hilda's blush deepens, and she laughs nervously. "Erm, I-I don't use any hair dyes," she confesses.
"Sure you're not," comes Sinon's voice from the side. Hilda jolts, surprised as he absentmindedly twirls a strand of her hair between his fingers.
"All the girls who dye their hair say that—." He snorts. "Still, it really suits you—makes you look like some kind of wild, punk adventurer." He nonchalantly says.
Do these two have any boundaries? Hilda wonders, caught between them as they sandwich her, eyes fixed on her hair.
"Ehh~, complimenting other girls, are you now, Sinon?" Aaliyah teases, covering a sly smile with her hand. "You fancy her or something?"
The boy scoffs, not biting at the obvious bait. "You wish, Aaliyah," he says with a smirk. "You won't know about good hair since you always got it tucked away under all that fabric," he claps back, and his fellow Sparrow Scout pouts.
Poor Hilda finds herself wedged in the middle, sensing the rising tension between the two. She quickly decides to steer things in a different direction.
"I-I like your head scarf... thingy," she blurts out, her voice uncertain. Then, gathering a bit more courage, she adds, "It's really pretty. Compliments your skin and all that."
A warm smile breaks through the olive-toned girl. "Why thank you, Hilda. This one's actually special—it was a gift from my baba while he was overseas." She reaches up, running her fingers over the magenta fabric with a touch of fondness.
Hilda leans in with genuine curiosity. "If it's not too rude to ask... why do you wear a scarf over your head? Doesn't it ever get, you know, all... stuffy?"
Before Aaliyah can answer, Sinon pipes in, ever the know-it-all. "It's not just any scarf, Hilda. It's called a hijab," he corrects, as though it's common knowledge.
Aaliyah gives him a gentle nudge before turning to Hilda. "It's part of my culture," she explains patiently. "A way of dressing that shows respect, keeps a part of myself private. I wear it to express my beliefs and who I am, more than just, you know, for fashion or anything."
Hilda nods. "Okay. I think I understand," she says softly, ruminating on the newfound knowledge.
"And don't even think about sneaking a peek under it," Sinon snarkily chimes in. "Apparently, it's only allowed off in private or around family. Trust me, I've been trying since we were kids."
"And every time he does, I poke him in the eyes," Aaliyah retorts, her smile sweet as she raises two fingers in a scissoring gesture, inching them menacingly toward Sinon's face. He backs away, mock-fearful, while Hilda stifles a laugh, imagining the scene in her head.
The mood lifts, lightening the tension between them, despite the drizzling rain. But Sinon's curiosity lingers, bubbling to the surface in an unfiltered question that he's been holding in the back of his mind.
"So… not to be a nosy bloke, but why did you say you can't join the Sparrow Scouts?" Sinon asks, the words out before he can catch himself.
Aaliyah's hand flies out, smacking him on the back of the head. "Ow!" He winces, rubbing the spot.
"And what did I tell you about sticking that big mouth where it doesn't belong?" Aaliyah chides, rolling her eyes before looking apologetically at Hilda. "Please ignore him; he is a loose cannon sometimes. You don't have to answer him."
Hilda's gaze softens. "It's okay; I can answer."
The two scoot closer, watching her intently, as Hilda takes a slow breath. She hesitates, feeling the weight of it all, before beginning. "It's just… well, we've been dealing with some problems back in the wilderness. The elves I told you about, they're not exactly fond of us."
"More like they hate us, dare I say."
Hilda's voice dips as she recounts everything, from the series of eviction letters following up to the night the elves attacked her home. She tells them about the heated argument with the Mayor, the long, fruitless trip to meet the Prime Minister and the upcoming meeting with the Elf King—with her friend Alfur's help, of course.
Sinon and Aaliyah listen, silent and intent, as Hilda's words settle over them, full of the vulnerability of someone sharing a private struggle with people she barely knows.
They watch her, feeling the sincerity behind each word, humbled that she'd open up like this.
Aaliyah sits quietly, absorbing Hilda's story, while Sinon's temper flares.
"Those slimy gits," Sinon grits out, clenching his fist in frustration. "If I got my hands on them, why I ought to—" He makes an exaggerated wringing motion with his hands as if throttling an invisible elf.
A hand rests on his shoulder. Sinon looks down to see it's Aaliyah's, giving him the ever-pointed look. Not now. He sighs, dropping his fists, but crosses his arms, tapping his fingers in frustration.
"What you and you're family went through was awful," Aaliyah murmurs, shifting closer to Hilda. Her face softens as she rubs soothing circles on Hilda's back. "From the looks of it the worst has come to pass, but still I've got to ask are you okay?"
Hilda nods slowly. "Yeah, I'm—We are fine."
She repeats herself, more confident. "We're managing. The only reason we're in the city today was to pick up some hardware, and try to fix up what the elves destroyed." She hesitates, letting out a dry laugh.
"But… I'd be lying if I said I didn't think this whole trip was part of some scheme to convince me to move to the city. Funny, innit?" She tries for a smile, but it flickers, not quite reaching her eyes.
She pulls her knees close, a bit worn after recounting the trouble at home. Our upbeat, adventurous Hilda from earlier seems a world away now, displaying a rare sliver of vulnerability.
"Sorry for unloading all that on you guys. I may be from the wilderness but I know in the city, you're not supposed to go spilling your troubles to people you've just met."
Aaliyah scoots closer, shaking her head. "Don't be. You'd be surprised—sometimes strangers make the best listeners. My mama always says bottling up emotions is just asking for trouble. It'll eat away at you, you know?"
She leans in, her eyes warm and understanding. "And, really, what you're dealing with… it's a lot. I'd feel the same in your shoes."
Hilda's shoulders relax just a bit, "Thanks. It's just… hard. My mum and sister, they're already so on the fence about moving to the city. Sometimes, it's like... I'm the only one really holding on." She doesn't what came over her to admit that, but it felt great.
Aaliyah reaches over and squeezes Hilda's arm, her hand warm and steady. She doesn't say anything—just offers a gentle, reassuring smile that seems to lift some of the weight from Hilda's shoulders.
They fall into a comfortable silence, listening to the patter of rain on the tent, a quiet that soothes as much as it fills the space.
Hilda can now breathe more easily, feeling a glimmer of lightness she hadn't expected. She watches as Aaliyah dries herself off, and Sinon, restless, stands up and paces the spacious tent, occasionally glancing over.
"So... you want to join the Sparrow Scouts," he starts, breaking the silence. "But also keep living out there in the wilderness?" he adds, laying it out clearly.
Hilda nods, a bit unsure. "Uh-uh, but it's... complicated. The city's pretty far. Long commute and I know can't just come here every time there's a Sparrow Scout meeting or whatever you call it. Nor do I want to live in the city."
Sinon taps his chin, thinking. "Right, right—an hour's drive at least. And not to forget all those, um, dangerous creatures between here and there," he trails off.
His eyes narrow, a thoughtful frown pulling at his face before a lightbulb seems to flicker above his head. "Wait a minute," he says, "What if... we bring Sparrow Scouts to her instead?"
Hilda perks up at the idea, though confused.
Aaliyah tilts her head. "Hmm, so you mean setting up activities in the wilderness where she lives?" She raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "You think Raven Leader would be up for that?"
"Maybe not all at once," Sinon replies with a shrug. "But we could start small—like a badge activity just near the city walls. Something low-key, y'know? Nothing too freaky and dangerous."
"—And then we'd have to get permission from everybody's parents," Aaliyah points out, a hint of skepticism in her voice.
"They're bound to worry about Trolls and... well, everything else out there. But we already camp out in the Huldrawoods and the Forest of Nott. We could pitch it as branching out! There's got to be some kind of angle they'd agree to." Aaliyah ruminates further.
Sinon grins, bouncing ideas back and forth. "An angle Yeah! Start with baby stuff like bird-watching or tree identification. Then, if they're okay with that, maybe we push for a little hike or even an overnight camp in the wilderness."
Hilda glances between them, trying to keep up. "I mean, I know it sounds too good to be true, but doesn't all of this feel... a tad complicated?"
"It's a mouthful of a plan," Sinon admits, running a hand through his blonde hair with a wry smile. "And probably a bit convoluted, yeah. Tons of holes. But it's something, innit?"
Aaliyah nods, her eyes bright. "It's worth a try. If we frame it right—make it seem like a great experience, we can get a few parents on board—and eventually be able to convince Raven Leader. Sure, it'll take some work, but..." She glances at Sinon, and he nods back, both of them grinning.
"But we'll figure it out," Sinon says with a confident shrug, clearly undeterred. "If we keep pushing, we'll find a way to help you balance Sparrow Scouts and keep you out in the wilderness."
Hilda looks at them, wide-eyed. "You'd go through all of that... for me?" Her voice is laced with disbelief.
Sinon shrugs nonchalantly as if it's nothing. "Sure, anything for a friend."
Our blue-haired adventured is a little stunned by the ease of it. Her eyes flicker between them. "W-We're friends? Just like that?".
"Of course, you're our friend now," Sinon says with a grin, glancing at Aaliyah. "Anyone willing to share their whole story like that is a good person in our book."
Hilda's mouth falls open, caught in a swirl of thoughts. Is it really that simple to make friends?
Aaliyah catches her gaze, her voice light but understanding. "Yes, it's that easy." She giggles softly as if she's read Hilda's mind.
Hilda stands up, gathering herself as she fixes the Beret on her head. And for the first time since being trapped inside the tent, a bright smile graces her fair face as she sheds off any doubt she has.
"Alright then, we're friends now," she declares, a flicker of her old confidence returning. "I'm Hilda, wilderness adventurer girl." She titles herself, before pausing as a blush creeps.
Why did I say that?
Aaliyah raises an eyebrow. "We don't usually reintroduce ourselves, but alright then," she says with a shrug, standing up and extending a hand. "I'm Aaliyah, I'm a—erm, peacemaker? I dunno!" She sticks her tongue out at herself, her cheeks flushing a little at the oddity of it.
Sinon snorts, clearly amused.
Aaliyah rolls her eyes playfully. "Oh, hush you," she says, nudging him with her elbow.
Sinon steps in with mock seriousness. "Well, if we're doing it like that, fine by me," he says, extending his hand with a flourish. "Sinon—Master Planner!" He grins as Hilda meets his handshake with her own enthusiasm. "Pleasure to be your friend and liaison for your future as a Sparrow Scout," he jokes.
"Please forgive his bluntness," Aaliyah says, giving Sinon an exhaustive pointed look.
"But when he sets his mind on something, he's relentless. Doesn't usually have many bright ideas, though… I don't know if today's a fluke, but he's actually come up with some decent ones lately." She whispers.
"I am on a roll!" Sinon declares, clearly proud of himself.
Hilda, a bit unsure of how to respond, squints slightly and says, "Sounds like he can be a bit extra…"
"Tell me about it," Aaliyah says, rolling her eyes playfully.
Sinon pouts, crossing his arms. "Hey, we've only been officially friends for a minute, and you two are already ganging up on me."
"Sorry," Hilda says quickly, eyes wide, feeling a bit guilty. She stops when she notices Sinon's face is more playful than serious.
"I'm just kidding," he says, giving her a playful nudge. "Wow, you really don't know the first thing about having friends out in the wilderness, huh? We've got some serious catching up to do if you're gonna survive the Sparrow Scouts."
"Oh, I'm sure I'll manage," Hilda replies with a smirk, her usual confidence flaring back up. "I've survived worse, after all."
Kra-koom!
Thunder crashes directly overhead, so loud the tent walls quiver. The storm has intensified, rain hammering against the fabric like it's trying to break through. Aaliyah lets out a small whimper, while Hilda and Sinon flinch, sharing a quick, startled look.
"It's raining cats and dogs out there!" Sinon says, glancing outside, trying to sound unfazed but visibly restless.
"Cats and dogs?" Hilda's eyes widen, ready to peer outside with worry. "Is this a city thing? Oh, the poor things!"
Aaliyah snickers softly and Sinon's muffled laughter echoes in the back. "No, Hilda, it's a figure of speech." She reassures.
"Oh..." Hilda sits back, her cheeks flushed.
"Seriously though, this rain just won't let up." Sinon complains, flopping down with a dramatic sigh, "This has got to be the longest rainstorm of my life! Thirty minutes, and it's still going strong. I'm already bored out of my mind." He glances at his watch and grumbles.
Hilda raises her brows, surprised. "Thirty minutes already?"
Aaliyah nods, settling beside Sinon. "Guess time flies when you're with friends," she says with a soft smile, lying down and closing her eyes.
"Yeah... friends," Hilda murmurs, the word feeling both odd and comforting on her lips. She lets herself fall back beside them, stretching out with a tired sigh. "Thanks, you two—for listening, and for cooking up the whole Sparrow Scouts plan on my behalf."
"No probs," Sinon says with a casual grin.
"You're very welcome," Aaliyah replies warmly.
Hilda grins, her adventurous spirit flaring up. "And hey, if the plan doesn't work out, I'll take you both on a grand adventure—even better than anything the Sparrow Scouts could dream up."
"We'd love that, Hilda," Aaliyah says, smiling at the thought.
"But as much as I've loved hanging out with you guys," Hilda stretches, feeling the weight of the day, "I think I'm ready to head home to the wilderness. Today's visit was... quite the adventure."
"Same here," Sinon says, rubbing his eyes. "A bed sounds like heaven right about now."
"Mmm, yeah…" Aaliyah adds, but then, a thought strikes her. "Hey, Hilda, what do you do when there's a storm like this out in the wilderness?"
"Probably the same way as you," Hilda replies, her voice going soft with nostalgia. "I'd curl up on the couch, snuggling up with Twig while Mum mixes hot chocolate in the kitchen. And I'd soothe my sister Zelda, telling her it's okay, that it's just a bit of rain—"
…
She stops mid-sentence, her voice trailing off as a daunting realization hits her. Her eyes go wide, her face pales, and a chill races down her spine.
Zelda. Zelda's terrified of storms.
"Oh no—!" Hilda bolts upright, panic clouding her face. In one swift motion, she unzips the tent, and a fierce gust of icy rain slams into her, stinging her cheeks.
"Hilda, wait!" Sinon shouts, his voice nearly drowned out by the howling wind and pelting rain.
But Hilda doesn't hear him. "Zelda!" she screams, her red boots already braced, ready to plunge into the storm when a strong arm pulls her back.
"Oof!" Hilda lands with a jolt, glaring up to see Sinon standing above her, his expression stern.
"Are you out of your mind?" he scolds. "You can't just go out there—you'll be soaked and shivering to the bone!"
"That's the least of my worries!" Hilda snaps. "My sister needs me!" She stands up, resolve written across her face.
Sinon frowns. "Why? Is she, what… four years old?" he scoffs. "It's a bit of thunder. I'm sure she'll be fine, yeah?"
A flicker of anger lights in Hilda's eyes, and she stiffens, her fists clenching. "Don't talk about my sister like that. You don't know what she's been through."
Sinon falters at the unexpected sharpness in her voice, taken aback by her fierce protectiveness. But he holds his ground, blocking the exit.
Hilda glares, her jaw clenched, but she softens slightly as she turns to her side. "Aaliyah, do you have an umbrella? Anything at all?"
Aaliyah looks down and shakes her head, "No, I'm sorry, Hilda."
"Then I've got no choice," Hilda says, steeling herself as she grabs for the tent zipper.
"No!" Sinon cuts in sharply, his voice carrying over the pounding rain. "Can't you see it's brutal out there? I told you to wait—it's fall. Temperatures drop and that weather could make you seriously sick." His tone is firm, warning her of the danger.
Lightning flashes, illuminating the tent for a split second as they lock eyes, each unwilling to back down. Hilda has to crane her neck to meet his glare, her resolve unwavering despite the storm raging outside.
Aaliyah shifts, stepping carefully between them. She gently rests a hand on Sinon's arm, and he softens slightly, taking a breath. Hilda, however, stands her ground.
"Let's all calm down and think about this, yeah?" Aaliyah's soft voice rang out, glancing from Sinon to Hilda.
"Hilda, where is your sister? Is she with your mum?"
Hilda shakes her head, tugging anxiously at a strand of her blue hair. "No. She… she said she was going to the comic book store, but that was over half an hour ago. I don't even know if she made it to the store or back to Mum. She could be stranded anywhere in the city for all I know," she says, her voice tight with worry.
Aaliyah gulps "Regardless, Hilda, it's too dangerous to go out there." She steadily says as she gestures toward Sinon. "You should listen and trust Sinon—his mother's a weather forecaster on the news."
Hilda hesitates, eyes darting back to Sinon. His gaze has softened now, a hint of reassurance in his expression as he nods. "Just trust me on this," he says quietly. "My mum said the storm would pass in about 35 minutes. 30 has already passed only 5 minutes to go. It's almost over. My Mum—she's always right."
A low rumble of thunder follows his words as if emphasizing the storm's dissipating intensity. Hilda looks down, her heart pounding, and peers out the small opening at the sheets of rain pouring down on the deserted street outside.
With a heavy sigh, she zips the tent closed and drops back onto the floor, fidgeting in her anxious frustration.
"Don't worry. I'm sure your sister's fine," Aaliyah says, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I hope so," Hilda whispers, shoulders slumped. "I promised Mum I'd stay by her side. Looks like I've already broken that." She wraps her arms around her knees, her eyes distant as the storm continues to rage outside.
The next five minutes feel like a lifetime to Hilda.
She sits stiffly, her fingers twitching restlessly on her blue skirt as the heavy silence wraps around them once more.
Outside, the rain roars, a relentless thunder that seems to shake the very air, and she struggles to stay still, her gaze darting to the entrance now and then, hoping the storm will ease.
Sinon stands nearby, watchful, clearly determined to keep her from bolting. Every moment of silence feels unbearable, only broken by the soft drip of water finding its way into the corners of their tent.
Finally, the downpour begins to slow, the once-deafening roar of rain now a softer patter. Hilda looks at Sinon, eyes with anticipation. He glances outside, then meets her gaze, nodding in silent confirmation.
Relief washes over her, and she exhales. It's time to go find Zelda. She edges toward the tent's entrance, pulling her red scarf tight around her neck, ready to dash into what remains of the storm.
"Want us to come along?" Aaliyah offers gently, her voice breaking the silence as they all hover by the tent flap.
"No," Hilda replies, her voice firmer than she intends. She tries to soften it with a smile. "I'll be fine on my own."
Aaliyah nods but glances at Sinon, who still avoids Hilda's eyes. Hilda hesitates, feeling a pang of guilt at their earlier argument. She takes a breath and finally mutters, "Sorry… about before. I didn't mean to shout."
Sinon glances at her from the corner of his eye, sighing as he registers the look on her face. "It's alright. Friends argue sometimes." A small grin lifts one corner of his mouth, breaking the last bit of tension between them.
They share a quick handshake, her fingers wrapping tightly around his, sealing their truce.
"Take care—and good luck finding your sister," Sinon says, his tone warming again.
"Stay safe," Aaliyah adds with a small, encouraging smile.
Hilda nods, pulling the zipper open as the damp air brushes against her face. "I will. Bye!" She says, stepping out. The wet grass squishes beneath her red boots, sending up tiny splashes of mud as she heads off into the city to find her sister, her determination shining through with every step.
The two stand outside, side by side, watching Hilda dash off down the wet street.
"She's… quite the character," Sinon remarks, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Yeah," Aaliyah nods, her own smile lingering as they share a quiet moment, reflecting on their unusual new friend.
They turn, just about to settle back into their usual Sparrow Scout routine, when Sinon catches a flicker of movement from the corner of his eye.
"Ooo. Look, she's coming back," Sinon points out, spotting the blue-haired girl sprinting over.
"I forgot something!" Hilda gasps as she reaches them.
With a mischievous glint in her eye, she swoops down and yanks out the stake holding their tent upright. Before anyone can stop her, the whole tent collapses like a line of dominos, folding into a tangled heap on the grass.
"Hey!" the two Sparrow Scouts shout, baffled.
"Hilda!" Sinon yelps, crossing his arms with a frown. "Not cool—I thought we were friends!"
Hilda just grins, completely unfazed. "Exactly! What kind of friend would I be if I didn't help you out with your badge activity? I want you to reassemble this tent just like I showed you." She winks, clearly entertained by their shocked expressions.
The pair, share a bewildered look— they suppose she's actually helping them, in her own way.
"Alright, see ya!" Hilda calls, turning and jogging off with a wave. Her big red boots clomp across the wet pavement, her blue beret bouncing in time with her strides.
"Come find us next time you're back in the city!" Aaliyah shouts after her, watching Hilda disappear around the corner.
Sinon lets out a groan, lifting a limp tent rope. "Great. Back to square one."
"Guess we'd better get to it." Aaliyah pulls on the crumpled fabric, sighing.
Resigned, Sinon digs out the manual from his pocket, glances at it for half a second, and then tosses it aside. "Forget this—."
Then the two start piecing the tent back together, maybe without causing a fuss this time.
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End Scene
Chapter Five – Pitching a Tent
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A/N: So, what do you guys think of my OCs? Sinon and Aaliyah were originally just background characters from the Sparrow Scouts, but I gave them names and a bit more personality to bring them to life.
This chapter feels a bit rushed and kinda bland to me, to be honest. It was meant to be part of a bigger chunk of chapters—like 4, 5, 6, and 7 altogether—but it ended up feeling a little disjointed.
I'll take any suggestions for a rewrite of this chapter. The purpose of this chapter was for Hilda to make friends with Aaliyah and Sinon, in a way different from how she makes friends with other characters in the show.
Est. Word Count: 6700
Published Date: Nov 8, 2024
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Reviews (You can skip this part)
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Leave a Review! My reply will be in the respective chapter you posted the review at! As Fanfic writers, we do this shit for free and in our own volition!
DEV: "I thought the chapter turned out really good. Sinon and Aaliyah have a fun dynamic and it gets even better with Hilda in the mix. I couldn't quite figure out which background character Sinon is based on, is he the kid who yells Sting Ball? It was nice to see a more open and emotional side to Hilda. I hope to to see more of this with Zelda and other characters. A really nice chapter. Keep up the good work."
-Thank you, DEV, for always being such a consistent reviewer—it really lifted my spirits after struggling through this chapter. I'm glad you enjoyed the starting dynamic between Sinon, Aaliyah, and Hilda! I promise there'll be plenty more shenanigans as the fic unfolds. And yes, Sinon, the blonde kid, is loosely inspired by the boy from the show who shouted "Stingball!" in Season 1, as well as the one who bullied the Freaky Friends in Season 3. Also, you're spot on—this emotional side of Hilda will show up again, though probably not with her family. The reasons for that will unfold in much later chapters.
DEV: "I saw the new picture of the story. It looks really good. Can't wait for the next part of the story. Keep up the good work."
- Ah, finally someone noticed the cover images! The original one was all hand-drawn by a younger, more artistic version of me. The new, more modern one? Honestly, it's just a screenshot from the show with the hair edited from blue to brown. Not as impressive, I know, but hey—it gets the job done!
MagiDarkness: "Spanish ¡ME ENCANTA!"
- ¡Qué bueno que te encantó! Muchas gracias por dejar tu reseña. Sé que una gran parte de los fans de Hilda en Netflix son de países hispanohablantes, ¡así que también voy a lanzar una versión en español de mi fanfic pronto!
Tziput13: "Took me a while to catch up, and now that I'm back up to speed, I can say I'm definitely engrossed. There's just a way that you write characters that keeps my attention throughout each chapter, and even in the mostly mundane moments we've seen up until now that comes through; I particularly like the way you have Johanna, Hilda and - of course - Zelda's personalities come through their dialogue and mannerism. This chapter in particular of course being a big example for Hilda herself since she was the major POV - including what I imagine is a further reference to some specific past event that affected Zelda, one that had her switch to a surprising determination. My curiosity is even more piqued. Also, this may very well be the first major divergence from canon, since it feels like Aaliyah and Sinon are going to be Hilda's first Trolberg friends in this fic. Nothing is excluded yet in terms of future developments, but that... that opens a lot of possibilities for sure. More so considering a suspicious detail from this chapter concerning who Sinon may be related to, but I'll see if that's correct in the future. And yeah, I like them. Thank you for continuing to update. I likely will not review every single chapter, but I'll try to keep up when I can - this story is rapidly becoming one of my main interests fic-reading-wise for sure!"
- No need to drop a review on every single chapter, mate—when you write a long one like this, it's more than enough to keep me going for a while. You can call me the review gobbler. If you haven't noticed, I update weekly (or, let's be honest, bi-weekly when I'm feeling lazy), usually seven to ten days after the last chapter goes up. I take a lot of pride in showcasing the mundane lives of this trio in all the smallest details. I'm a big believer in the "show, don't tell" philosophy, and I weave that into the dialogue and mannerisms, most of which are inspired by my own life with siblings and parents. I've always felt the best stories are the ones grounded in reality. Ah, Chapter 5—yes, it hints at a traumatic event from Zelda's past, something I've sprinkled throughout the chapters, especially in 1 and 2. More of that will be uncovered later, but it's not exactly a puzzle. You'll figure it out soon enough. And yes, brace yourself for some canon divergence as we go forward—screw the plotline, take that, time worms! That said, the fic will stay grounded in canon as its foundation. I'm so glad you're enjoying the introduction of Sinon and Aaliyah! They're just background characters from the show who I've fleshed out and given names to. It's a fun little challenge—see if you can figure out which ones they are! Honestly, it makes me so happy to know my fic has become a main interest for you in this fandom. I want to keep the magic and comfort of Hilda alive for as long as possible. Thanks again for the kind words! And regarding your suspicions about Sinon's relationship with a certain someone... Yeh ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)