Timing Is Everything

[captainviscen]

[Captain Viscen slowly awakens. He has a throbbing headache, but that seems to be the least of his problems--he doesn't recognize anything about the place he now finds himself in. It has a familiar feel to it, but it is certainly not Clocktown. Confused, he tries to think back what happened before he passed out. He remembers...telling his men they

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[tehnrija]

[The unfamiliar shouting amidst the silence of the town catches Sheik's attention, rousing him from his brief slumber. For a few moments, he first observes what looks to be a soldier unlike those from Hyrule, loud and upset.]

In the dead of a night like this, the entire kingdom can hear you.

[He walks forward from the shadows of one street, approaching with slow, but sure steps. His red eyes are narrowed slightly, watching Viscen's every move.]

State your name and position.

[captainviscen]

[Viscen spins at the sound of another being, then tenses as the figure walked out of the shadows. What manner of land was this, where the only figures were made of shadow? After a split second of indecision, Viscen decides to take the safe route and jerks himself into attention and a stiff salute. The figure sounds authoritative enough to be in charge of...something.]

Viscen, Captain of the Imperial Clocktown Guard. And I'll ask the same of you, stranger.

[His voice is gruff, but he speaks with guarded respect. He has no idea of what to expect from this mysterious figure or strange land.]

[tehnrija]

[Sheik is still studying Viscen, but to be fair he stops walking, standing several feet away from the soldier. When he speaks his voice remains cool, the distant neutrality he uses with most strangers.]

Sheik, of the Sheikah tribe. I am a guard and attendant of the Hylian Royal Family.

From what land is Clocktown?

[captainviscen]

[Viscen's face remains neutral, but he is perturbed by this Shiek's description of himself. None of those names or titles are familiar to him. The only place he knows of that ever had a royal family is Ikana, and he knows he is not there. He relaxes his salute and crosses his fist over his chest as a subtle gesture of concession, in return for the Sheikah's ceasing his movement.]

Clocktown is the central hub of Termina, land of the Blessed Four.

And what land is this, Sheikah?

[It feels strange to use such a formal term for his land, but it seems necessary with this being who has never heard of Clocktown.]

[heirtoclocktown]

[Kafei has taken to brooding in corners, for want of anything better to do. He looks up at the shouting and recognizes the familiar armor of Clocktown's guards. But is it really someone from home, or do Hyrule guards coincidentally wear the same arms? One way to find out...]

You. Guard. Who do you serve?

[captainviscen]

[Viscen can't help but startle at the sudden appearance of a child. He seems strangely familiar, but Viscen can't quite place where he would have seen him before. He raises an eyebrow at the boy's imperious tone, but answers him nonetheless.]

I serve Mayor Dotour and the people of Clocktown.

Is it safe for a boy to be out of doors at this time of night?

[He injects a bit of sternness into his voice--it seems children everywhere are the same, always getting themselves into trouble.]

[heirtoclocktown]

You-- [Kafei is startled into speechlessness for a moment, but quickly recovers and begins rambling.]

Yes! Yes, Clocktown! Where is it? How did you get here? [His back straightens, and his tone grows proud.] I demand you escort me to the mayor's house at once.

[captainviscen]

[The distinct attitude of the boy combined with his posture speech makes Viscen realize who he was reminded of, and he is shocked. He kneels down to put himself at the boy's level.]

You...Surely it cannot be. [Viscen mentally shakes himself, knowing that the boy will be more likely to respond if he answers some of his questions.]

I woke up here, child, and I do not even know where here is, much less how to get back there.

What is your name, boy?

[regnant_zelda]

[The Princess spends most of her time in Castletown and the Castle itself. While on the roof of a market stand, she regards the stranger raptly. Zelda has seen that armor before--it is the old design of the Hyrule Guard. From atop the roof, confident he won't harm her, and speaks.]

I can hear you--are you a friend of Hyrule?

[captainviscen]

Viscen turns rapidly to the source of her voice, but in the darkness can only make out her silhouette. He tenses but answers as best he can.]

I cannot claim what I do not know as friend. I am a stranger to this place.

[regnant_zelda]

[So he is not who she suspects...she recognizes the armor, most certainly.]

You wear the armor of my Guard. [Which wasn't entirely true, but the armor of what once was her family's Guard, which was close enough.] Tell me, if you are not Hyrulean, where do you herald from?

[captainviscen]

[Viscen frowns at this revelation. The only female in the mayor's family is his wife, and neither the shape of the silhouette nor her voice matches his Madame's profile.]

I think you must be mistaken, ma'am. I am Captain of the Imperial Clocktown Guard, and I hail from Termina, land of the Blessed Four.

[If this stranger's family is important enough to warrant their own guard, perhaps she will recognize the name of his land.]

[excuseuprincess]

[Midna has opted for walking on over. This man looks like he may have a heart attack if she hovers.]

Lost?

[captainviscen]

[Viscen is intrigued by the appearance of this imp-person. There are imps in Termina, but he has never seen one quite like this.]

...I suppose you could say that, imp. Do you know the name of this place?

[excuseuprincess]

[Hm. Midna weighs her options. On one hand, he looks like a decent guy--the kind who deserves the truth. On the other hand....this could be fun.]

Ah, a human! How rare~! You are in the land of the fairy folk!

[She gasps and her eyes widen theatrically. She takes him by the hand and walks him along, chattering anxiously.]

But you are not safe like this. QUICK! You must go into the fields and make yourself a collar and crown of blue flowers and you must wear it at all times.

[captainviscen]

[Viscen is bewildered by this strange creature. It claims a lot of things, but then again it is better to never trust an imp...]

Hold, imp. First tell me your name, and the name of this land.

[forever_kokiri]

[On her way to find the Kokiri Forest, Saria has stumbled upon Castle Town. She has encountered so few people recently, that seeing the appearance of this man was almost comforting. However, he seems very distressed over something.]

I can hear you! ...

Um... Is something the matter, sir?

[captainviscen]

[Viscen jumps at her voice, then spends an embarrassing moment looking for her before he thinks to look down. She is a mere child. Viscen kneels to put himself on her level and gives her a weak smile.]

I am simply lost, child. Do you know the name of this place?

[forever_kokiri]

Hm... Well, this land is called Hyrule, but I don't know the name of this town.

[She frowns, knowing that's not entirely the answer he was expecting]

I'm sorry! I'm a bit lost too...

[captainviscen]

[He smiles kindly at her hesitation. He would not have expected a child to know such things, anyway.]

Well, that's all right. Do you know the name of the place where you live? Maybe we can find it together.

[He feels considerable unease at the fact that she is wandering alone.]