Chapter 2

After arriving back at Madame Musette's house, the party resumed their work on the Christmas dinner preparations. After a while, Shirley returned as well. She announced her presence by taking and bow and humming a fanfare.

"What are you so happy about?" Senel asked.

"Well, guess who I just invited to our Christmas gathering," Shirley said.

"Who?"

"Thyra."

The entire room stopped.

"You invited that woman?" Moses asked.

"Shirl, hello!" Norma called. "That woman, like, hates you or something."

"I know, but...if we ever hope for peace between the Orerines and the Ferines, we have to open up to them," Shirley explained. "The Orerines and Ferines have to spend time together in order to understand each other. I even told Thyra that she can bring Maurits and any other Ferines that she wants to bring."

"Hmm..." Will thought about it for a moment. "Having Maurits over wouldn't be a bad idea. If we can have a peaceful dinner together, then we'd be one step closer to peace between our two races."

"That's right," Chloe said. "I haven't given up on peace between our races either."

"Yeah, we can still live as one big happy family!" Moses added.

Shirley clasped her hands together. "I knew you guys would understand!"

Jay let out an exasperated sigh, then retreated into the kitchen.

"Jay? What's with you?" Senel wondered.

"Jay..." Shirley walked across the room, following Jay into the kitchen.

"You amaze me," Jay said, his back turned to her. "You actually invited her."

"I have my reasons," Shirley said.

"And I understand them perfectly. But did you not stop to think that perhaps everyone would be uncomfortable?"

"Jay, if anyone should be uncomfortable, it'd be me. And I'm fine."

Jay shrugged. "All right. I understand that you want to reach out to the Ferines, but I just think you picked the wrong person to invite."

"Jay...about what you said to Thyra...you didn't have to sound so harsh."

"Didn't I? I was no more harsh than she was."

"But what she said was justified," Shirley insisted.

Jay gave her an odd look. "How was it justified? There was nothing behind her complaints, no evidence to support her accusations. All she had was her grief over Fenimore's death. Nothing more."

"But...it's my fault that Fenimore died in the first place."

"There's no need to blame yourself. Fenimore made the choice to protect you, and that is nothing to blame yourself for. Thyra knows that you're serving as an ambassador for the Ferines, and yet she accuses you of betraying them. I fail to see any logic in that."

Shirley looked down. "Jay..."

"She doesn't even know what Nerifes desires," Jay continued. "She's a poorly educated Ferines. She's too closed-minded to even hope for peace between the two races. I sincerely doubt that she would accept your invitation, and your plan would be for naught."

"So...what should I do?"

"I suggest you pay a visit to the Ferines village and invite Maurits personally. He would be more likely to accept the invitation."

Shirley nodded. "Okay, I'll do that."

"And don't worry; I won't say anything to aggrevate Thyra if she decides to join us."

Shirley nodded again. "Thank you, Jay."

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After a while, Madame Musette found herself alone in the dining room, setting the tables. There were two long tables in the center, and one smaller table off to the side. There were pink flowers lined up on the table in front of the chairs. Chloe entered the dining room.

"Madame, do you need help with anything?" Chloe asked.

"Oh yes, if you could help me set the table, I'd appreciate it," Musette replied.

Chloe examined the flowers on the table, realizing that they were made of paper, and each one had a name written on it. "Wow, who made these?"

"This was Shirley's idea. She thought it'd be adorable to have name tags where everyone is sitting."

Chloe examined the flowers at the smaller table. "Madame...you put me at the table between Elsa and Harriet?"

"Yes, I thought it'd be a good idea for you to serve the young ones," Musette told her. "You and Elsa are close, are you not?"

"Yeah...but this means...I...I..."

"Yes?"

"I'm...I'm at the children's table!"

Musette shook her head. "Chloe..."

"Madame, I believe that I'm mature enough to sit with the adults."

"Of course, dear. But this has nothing to do with maturity. I just believe that you are very good with children. I can see you becoming a wonderful mother one day."

Chloe paused. "Me...as a mother?"

"Yes, you're both strong and gentle. You would set a fine example for your children."

"W...Well...I guess you do have a point. Although it's strange to picture Norma sitting with the adults..."

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In the Ferines village, Thyra was talking to Maurits about Shirley's invitation.

"Who does she think she is!?" Thyra growled. "She actually expects me to eat dinner with the filthy Orerines in their own city!?"

"Thyra, you must calm down," Maurits said. "I, for one, understand the Merines' intentions."

"You do?"

"Yes. This will allow our peoples to understand each other. We must open our minds if we can ever hope for peace."

"So this means you're..."

"Yes, I accept the Merines' invitation."

"Oh..." Thyra looked away.

Shirley entered the house and approached them. "Hello, Maurits."

"Greetings, Merines," Maurits said. "Thyra was just telling me about your celebration."

"Yes, we would be honored if you would attend," Shirley said.

"No, the honor is all ours. I can never refuse an invitation from the Merines herself."

Thyra threw him a look. "Chief!"

"It's all right, Thyra," Shirley said. "If you don't want to come, that's fine. I won't force you; it was only a suggestion." She turned and started to leave.

"Wait!" Thyra called.

"Hmm?" Shirley stopped and turned to her.

Thyra swallowed hard, and then her voice came out strained. "All right...I'll go to your celebration."

Shirley's eyes lit up. "You will? Oh, thank you! It makes me so happy!"

"However, that doesn't mean that I trust you! Don't forget that!"

"Oh...yes, of course. I'll see you there." Shirley turned and left the house.

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Later on, Shirley returned to Musette's house to inform her of the new guests.

"Welcome back, Shirley," Musette said.

"Oh, Your Excellency," Shirley said with a bow. "I've invited Maurits and Thyra for dinner. Is that okay?"

"That's fine with me, but are you really comfortable with that?"

"Yeah, it'll be fine!"

"Yeah, all of us are on Shirl's side!" Norma said. "If Tulip makes one wrong move, she's a dead woman!"

"Now yer talkin', Bubbles," Moses said.

"Norma, don't be rude," Chloe said.

"Well, I need to check on our meal again." Musette went back into the kitchen, with Chloe, Norma, and Moses in tow. Senel and Shirley were now alone in the dining room.

"You know, Shirley, I really admire you for inviting Thyra to the party," Senel said. "I don't think I'd ever do that."

"I just hope this brings us a step closer to our goal," Shirley replied.

"Oh, I'm sure it will."

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Oh, that must be her!" Senel said.

Shirley took his hand as she went to the door and opened it.

"Hi!" Harriet said as she came in.

"Oh, Harriet..." Senel said, disappointed. "We thought it was someone else."

"Who?"

"Thyra."

"Isn't that the woman who bashed Shirley? You're having her over here?"

"That's right."

"Big mistake."

"Why?" Shirley asked.

"She might try to beat you up," Harriet said.

Shirley shook her head. "There won't be anything like that. Trust me, we'll get along fine."

Harriet shrugged. "If you say so. By the way, where's Dad?"

"He's still down in the basement," Senel told her.

"All right!" Harriet raced down into the basement.

At that moment, Chloe came out of the kitchen. "We heard the doorbell ring. Is Thyra here?"

"No, that was Hattie," Shirley told her.

"Oh. Well, could you let us know when she comes? We'll all be working here in the kitchen."

Shirley nodded, and Chloe went back into the kitchen. Chloe turned to face the crowd that had gathered behind her.

"Well, is she here yet?" Elsa asked.

Chloe shook her head. "No, that was Harriet."

Everyone sighed with disappointment.

"I'm very curious to meet this girl," Alcott said. "What kind of person would berate a sweet girl like Shirley?"

"It's a crazy world out there," Moses said. "Ever since the Bantam Bouncers took the stage, things ain't been the same."

Just then, Will and Harriet came into the kitchen.

"Hello, everyone," Will said. "Are we still waiting for Thyra?"

Everyone nodded.

"All right. When she gets here, we all need to be on our best behavior." Will paused and looked at Norma. "Especially you, Norma."

"Why do you always pick on me!?" Norma whined.

"And Moses, too," Jay threw in.

"Now listen, you little punk!" Moses yelled. "I happen to be the perfect gentleman!"

"Says who?"

"Says me!"

"Well, I know better than to trust your word."

"That's enough, you two," Will said. "That's exactly the kind of behavior we don't need."

"See, Teach, you don't have to pick on me all the time!" Norma pointed out.

Will bonked her on the head. "What did I just say?"

Chloe held up her hand. "Quiet, everyone! I heard the doorbell ring again!"

Everyone gathered around as Chloe carefully peeked out through the kitchen door.