Hello, men and ladies, the name is Frenchsong. Strange name, I know, but my clan likes it, through it's a mighty mouthful, so I often like to be called 'Connie' for a nickname. Why Frenchsong, you ask? Because it was inspired by my heritage and my love for a very beloved movie. You may know it, 'The Princess and the Frog'. I have a big crush on Louis the alligator. Real ones give me the fright and shivers, but not Louis. He may be animated and talking, but he is as human as all of us. Heck, he dreamt of being a human and playing his horn with famous musicians.
I wouldn't mind to be a alligator under a spell just to hang out and know Louis more than I had seen in the movie. Also, I'd like to have Naveena and Tiana and the others as friends as well. I was heartbroken by Ray's death, then overjoyed when I saw that he was together with his love, Evangeline as it should be. The movie was one thing that kept me going after my parents divorced some years in after I was born, but I still loved them. Last I heard was that Father was retired in Florida while Mother was working as a nanny over in California. They sounded happy, happier than I had ever remembered. I became a warrior of the clan when I was in my early 20s.
I loved it so and I often worked on the maps where other gangs worked, lived, and fought. The South Siders gang was one who was integrating into other territories, challenging the leaders, thanks to Tazer whose leader has passed on from a bad illness some time ago. There was two gangs beside the South Siders which is as big in their territories, and the battles are pretty brutal. The first one we call is the Fifth Mainers, which is not as harsh in fighting, but relentless in their skills. The other one used to be a vigilante group, until they came to forget their treaty with the Fifth Mainers, then everything changed. This gang was called the Central Foremen until they changed it to the West Collars. Why they renamed their name was a reason we never got to know, but when we confront them, they could wear these collars, chain, dog, spiked, you name it. They were brutal in deals, but very dedicated to their families and leader.
Anyway, it was a slow day, warm sunshine, mild weather here and there. I wore a light green ruffled blouse with skinny dark brown jeans, pitch black flats. My short black hair has been curled into ringlets. My totem necklace is made of brown twine with a solid green/gold alligator carving with the radio inside it. I was inside HQ, relaxing after I almost had a confrontation with Tazer. He almost looked crazier than usual. I had to tell Sunrise about him, and she reluctantly told me and the others that she had to break up a fight between Tazer and the leader of the West Collars, Dax recently. Dax is Mexican-German American, thin brown hair, and pitch blue eyes, wearing ratty clothes, with his chain collar including the tag holding his name. Anyhow, I was excited to go to my chosen world, and everybody else was happy for me.
I had my bed sold, while my room, #45, has murals on its walls. The north wall is having the beauty of New Orleans in different times, almost like a rainbow of time. The west wall contained the characters of the movie, their best poses and all. The east wall came to have my very favorite scene from the movie. The bayou wedding in all its splendor and motion.
I was ready to go, so I came to the portal room after I closed my room off and returned a book back to the clan library. Everyone else was in 1930s clothing, albeit made of modern fabric still. They were singing my favorite song, which is 'Dig a Little Deeper'. Sunrise turned on the portal which has the usual rainbow swirls, through it's sparkling bright blue and gold here and there. I was curious about that. I nodded to Sunrise, smiled toward everyone, and walked into the portal.
The tunnel was dark, through I could hear faint jazz. I couldn't help humming to this song, then the tune changed. I startled, recognizing the new tune. It was Evangeline's song.
Suddenly, I could see a bright blue glowing orb coming toward me. I instinctively stepped back, wary of this development when the glow disappeared, leaving someone I was shocked to see. It was the Blue Fairy, from the movie, 'Pinocchio'. She smiled warmly toward me.
"Hello, dear child. I've heard your wish, and I have decided to help you a little.". The Blue Fairy replied softly.
A laugh came out of nowhere, "Eva, cher, ne pas 'get me either!". A soft gold glow approached us, and as it got closer, I widened my eyes to see Ray in his spunky, uncrushed firefly self.
"Oh, Ray, I couldn't leave you. After all, you're going to help too.". Evangeline giggled lightly, her light blonde hair moving as she turned her head to greet Ray. Her light blue eyes shimmered of love and wisdom.
I blinked, "Ray? You are Evangeline?". I stuttered in surprise. The couple smiled, Eva replied, "Ray here likes to call me Eva now since he knows who I am after he came home.".
Ray chuckled merrily, "I done got something better too!". His glow got brighter and brighter, forcing me to shield my eyes away. When it stopped, I opened my eyes, my mouth gaping open as I couldn't believe the sight before me. Ray the firefly was gone, and in his place was a dark tanned man, with crimson red hair in a wild mess, and a goatee as well. His smile has the familiar missing tooth, and his light brown eyes shimmering in delight and mischief, through I could see love mostly as he smiled crookedly in a lovestruck face toward Eva, who's smiling back. He has dark brown/dark gold clothes, through his feet is barefoot. His wings remained, through much bigger in width. He was only a head taller than me, and a few inches shorter from Eva who's the tallest person.
"Wow..". I whispered in shock. Eva laughed delightly, "Incredible, isn't it?". I nodded mutely to agree with her. "You must be wondering why we are here, hmm?". she asked gently.
"I'm aplenty curious, that's for sure, ma'am.". I spoke respectfully. Eva clasped hands with Ray which I noticed that they have wedding rings on themselves, realizing they must have gotten married in star heaven or something.
Eva smiled sadly, "I have been in your world every day, and I have seen something frightening that will be on your soul once you cross over into Ray's old world.". I nodded, gesturing for her to go on talking. Eva sighed lightly, "Your father had disrespected a elder who is dedicated to the voodoo spirits, and let's say, he struck a curse on your family which includes you as well. That had caused the rift between your parents, and your mother couldn't have children anymore, and your father lost all his betting stakes which caused him to quit his job. For you, the elder saw you were a child at the time he casted the spell, so, he decided to have the spell be on you once you became a adult, like a deadline. Your aura was attracted to animals which was feared by humans; snakes, alligators, you name it.".
I blinked in surprise, "That explains the incidents monthly on the ranches, and the clan.".
"Yes, however, your aura is shifting already, making you to be one of the feared animals. It sensed you wanted to be a alligator much like Louis, but you wanted to make his dream come true, so there is a way to break the spell.". Eva nodded with a sense of finality.
I gulped audibly, "And the way to break the spell?".
Eva smiled, "You have to find that out, dear child.".
Ray chuckled, "Don't worry, cher, I be sure that you succeed.". I giggled at Ray's gentlemanly charisma. Eva smiled again.
Eva then listened for something I can't hear, then spoke, "Darling, we must go. It's becoming daylight.". Ray laughed merrily as he flashed back to his firefly self, fluttering and hovering. "Of course, my cher!".
"Good luck, girlie!". Ray winked before he disappeared. Eva looked at me, "Don't despair, child. All good things will come to you. Be who you are no matter how you find yourself. Remember what I told you, and follow your dream.". She fluttered backwards, beaming back into the blue glowing orb, and disappearing. I sighed, absorbing what happened to me just now, and nodding to myself as I mostly understood everything now. I looked ahead to see the Bayou and New Orleans switching between each other.
I ran, hoping that I could break my spell soon and hang out with Louis and the others. I then jumped, darkness causing me to black out, faintly hearing a horn playing.