almost forgot this! i don't have anything to say except for the disclaim, so...
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any characters in this story, except for Jack :)
...
Poppy stared at the unconscious figure laying on the ground before her. He looked… like her. She tilted her head, slowly letting the frying pan drop to her side. Then the boy opened one eye. Poppy gasped, closing her eyes and smashing the frying pan on his head again. She opened one eye, then the other. She used the frying pan to poke the boy's shoulder, but he didn't move again.
Maybe I should move him? Just to be safe? Poppy thought. She looked around her room, trying to find a suitable place to keep the boy. Her eyes fell on her closet. Perfect. Poppy dragged the boy over to the closet, and after several unsuccessful attempts, got the boy into the closet with the door closed and a chair propped under it. She backed away, holding the frying pan out in front of her.
"Ok ok ok," she whispered. "I've got a person in my closet. I've got a person, in my closet." she glanced at herself in the mirror, and broke into a smile. "I've got a person in my closet!" she said grinning. "So you think I can't handle myself out there, huh, mother?" she laughed, spinning the frying pan around her finger. "Well, tell that to my frying-" the frying pan hit Poppy in the side of her head. She groaned, rubbing her eye, and saw something glinting on the floor in the mirror's reflection. Turning around, she saw the bag the boy had dropped when she'd hit him. She walked over to it and picked it up, seeing tiny jewels and three big clear amethysts, if she was referring to her book on gems correctly. The object was pretty, but what was it?
Poppy put her arm through it and let it hang there, then looked at Barber. He shook his head, and poppy peered through the amethysts to look at him. He shook his head again. Poppy glanced at herself in the mirror, and after a moment of hesitation, placed the object on her head. Barber gaped at her as Poppy stared in the mirror. This felt surprisingly… right. Before she could ponder the feeling more, her mother's voice called to her.
"Poppy! Let down your hair!" Poppy gasped, yanking the thing off her head and grabbing the bag, dropping both in a nearby pot.
"Coming mother!" she said quickly, looping her hair over the hook and letting it fall.
"I've got a big surprise for you!" she sing songed, putting her foot on Poppy's hair.
"Uh, so do I!" Poppy called down as she began to hoist her mother up.
"Ooh, I'll bet my surprise is bigger!" her mother said happily.
"I seriously doubt it," Poppy whispered softly, glancing over at her closet. Her mother appeared in the window, and perched on the windowsill, grinning at Poppy.
"I brought back some chicken and vegetables. We're going to have chicken noodle soup for dinner, your favorite!" she spread her arms out, hopping of the windowsill. "Surprise!"
Poppy breathed in deeply. "Hey mother, there's something i need to tell you. I-"
"Oh poppy, you know I hate leaving when we've had a fight, even when I did nothing wrong," she said smiling and turning to the cutting board to unpack her basket.
"I wanted to ask about what you said earlier," Poppy said quickly, glancing at the closet.
"I hope you're not still talking about those lights," her mother said, her tone sounding disapproving.
"Um, yes, I'm getting there" Poppy said, backing towards the closet.
"Because I'd really thought we'd dropped the matter, Poppy," her mother said.
"No mother, I'm just saying, you think that i can't handle what's out there-"
"Oh darling, I know you can't handle what's out there," her mother interrupted. Poppy kept going.
"But if you'd look-" Poppy reached back for the closet handle.
"Poppy, we're done talking about this," her mother said with a tight smile.
"Just trust me, mother,"
"Poppy…"
"I know what I'm-"
"Poppy!"
"Oh come on," Poppy pleaded.
"Enough of the lights, Poppy!" her mother snapped. "You are not leaving this tower! Ever!" Poppy gasped, hurt, and slowly removed her hand from the closet. Her mother groaned, falling into a chair.
"Great," she said sighing. "Now I'm the bad guy."
Poppy glanced at the closet, then the picture of the lights. Then she looked at her mother.
"I was just going to say that I know what I want for my birthday now," she said softly.
"Her mother looked at her. "And what is that?"
"Some- some new paint," Poppy whispered. "The paint from the shells you brought me once." her mother frowned.
"That's a very long trip, Poppy. Almost three days time."
Poppy looked at her feet. "I thought it was a better idea then the… lights," she said quietly. Her mother sighed, and smiling sadly, she got up and crossed the room the where Poppy was standing.
"You're sure you'll be alright on your own?"
"I know I'm safe as long as I'm here," poppy said, hugging her.
Poppy packed her mother a basket, then watched as she climbed down her hair and traveled across the grass to the tunnel, turning around at the mouth to wave. Poppy waved back, and kept waving till her mother was out of sight. Then she sprinted to the closet, removing the chair and hiding behind it, holding the frying pan at her side. she used her hair to open the door. The boy fell out, laying motionless on the floor. Poppy looked at him curiously. "Hmm."
Five minutes later, Poppy had the boy securely tied to the chair with her hair. She leapt into the rafters, watching barber attempt to wake the boy up.
First he poked the boy with his tail, then slapped him with it. When he didn't stir, barber stuck his tongue in the boys ear. The boy's head jerked up…
…
"Agh!" Sparrow yelled, shaking his head. The tongue disappeared from his ear, and a monkey landed on the floor in front of him, shaking its fist and chattering angrily. Sparrow scowled at it, and moved to get up, but he realized he was bound to a chair. He pulled against the- wait, these werne't ropes… sparrow's eyes followed the material from his body to the floor.
"Is this… hair?" he asked, following the trail to the rafters where a figure was standing. A girl's voice spoke up.
"Struggling… struggling is useless!" she said, trying (and failing) to sound brave. Sparrow frowned.
"Huh?" a figure hopped down from the rafters, and emerged from the shadows to reveal a young girl with auburn hair, holding a frying pan over her shoulder as a weapon. She glared at Sparrow, raising the frying pan.
"Who are you, and how did you find me?" Sparrow blinked.
"Uh huh…" the girl scowled and raised the frying pan higher.
"Who are you, and how did you find me?" she said threateningly. Sparrow shook his head and cleared his throat, winking at the girl.
"Sparrow Hood, at your service. What's your name, princess?" the girl scowled, and pointed the frying pan at him.
"Who else knows where I am, Sparrow Hood?" the girl snapped. Sparrow rolled his eyes.
"Listen, princess-"
"Poppy," the girl snapped. Sparrow raised his eyebrows. "Isn't that a flower?" then he shook his head. "Nevermind. Anyway, here's the deal. I was having a problem, running through the forest. Found a curtain leading to your tower, and-" Sparrow's eyes widened. "Oh, oh no! Where is my satchel?!"
Poppy crossed her arms, looking satisfied. "I've hidden it. Someplace you'll never find it."
Sparrow glanced around the room, his eyes falling on a pot. "It's in that pot, isn't it?"
Poppy exchanged glances with the monkey, and the frying pan flew at Sparrow's head and everything went black again.
A few minutes later, Sparrow woke to find the monkey's tongue in his ear again. He shook his head wildly, throwing barber across off of him.
"Would you stop that?!" he snapped.
Poppy stood in front of him with her arms crossed. "Now it's hidden where you'll never find it," she said smirking. Then she pointed the frying pan at him and walked around the chair. "So, what do you want with my hair? Cut it?"
Sparrow blinked. "Uh, what?" Poppy ignored him, and put the frying pan against his neck.
"Sell it?"
"No!" Sparrow yelled. "Listen princess, the only thing i want to do with your hair, is to get out of it! Literally," Sparrow said, pulling against the hair binding his wrists.
Poppy blinked. "Wait, you… don't want my hair?"
Sparrow groaned. "Why on earth would I want your hair?! Look, i was being chased, I saw a tower, I climbed it. End of story."
Poppy blinked. "Really?"
"Yes, really!" Sparrow snapped. Poppy's monkey jumped off her shoulder, perching on the end of the frying pan and squinting at Sparrow until Poppy moved the frying pan back.
Poppy frowned and turned away from him, holding the monkey in her hands and whispering. Sparrow looked at her oddly, then attempted to get free. He heard poppy's voice sound behind him.
"Ok, Sparrow Hood, I'm prepared to offer you a deal.
Sparrow frowned. "Deal?"
Poppy grabbed the the hair connected to the chair, and pulled it. "Look this way." the chair spun in a full circle, and Sparrow yelped as he hit the ground.
Poppy ignored him and pulled back a curtain, revealing a painting. "Do you know what these are?" she said, pointing at the painting. Sparrow glanced sideways.
"You mean the lantern thing they do for the princess's sister?" Poppy smiled.
"Lanterns," she said softly. She shook her head. "Tomorrow night, they will fill the sky with these 'lanterns.' you will be my guide, bringing me to see these lanterns, and return me home safely. Then, and only then, will I return your satchel." Poppy crossed her arms, satisfied. "That's my deal."
Sparrow shoved himself off the ground so he was on his side. "Yea, sorry princess, that's not happening. The kingdom and I aren't really friends right now, so I won't be taking you anywhere."
Poppy frowned and hopped down from the ledge, pulling up the chair.. "Listen here, Sparrow Hood. something brought you here. Fate, destiny-"
"A horse," Sparrow said, unamused.
"-so I have made the decision to trust you," Poppy said, walking closer.
"A horrible decision really," Sparrow said, rolling his eyes.
"But trust me when I tell you this," Poppy said, narrowing her eyes and pulling the chair forward. "You can tear this tower apart brick by brick, but without my help, you will never find your precious satchel."
Sparrow sighed. "Ok, so if I take you to see the lanterns and bring you home, you'll give me my satchel?"
"I promise," Poppy said. Sparrow raised an eyebrow, and Poppy scowled. "When I promise something, I never, ever, break that promise. Ever." Sparrow stared at her, and she stared back, her gaze never wavering. Sparrow sighed.
"Fine! I'll take you to see the lanterns." Poppy's eyes brightened, and she dropped the chair, her hands flying to her face.
"Really?!"
Sparrow let out a very unmanly whimper. "Owww."
Poppy looked down at him guiltily. "Oops."
She knelt down and untied Sparrow from the chair. He sat up and glared at her, then walked to the window sill, climbing down from the window. About half way down, he glanced at Poppy, still standing in the window.
"You coming, princess?" he asked, blinking at her. Poppy appeared to be whispering to herself, and Barber hugged her arm tightly. Then she jumped, and Sparrow yelped and pressed against the tower before slowly resuming the climb down, hopping to the ground.
Poppy was standing in the grass, a smile across her face. She sank onto the ground, rolling onto her back. With a blissful smile, she opened her mouth and began to sing.
"Just smell the grass, the dirt, just like i dreamed they'd be!"
sparrow looked at her oddly as she chased a dandelion and stepped into a stream, singing,
"Just smell that summer breeze, the way it's calling me!" she grabbed water in her hands, and through it in the air.
Sparrow jumped back with a yelp. The water was cold! Poppy ignored him and sang,
"For like the first time ever, I'm completely free!" she watched a bluebird longingly, then her eyes fell on the rock leading out of the section, starting to run.
"I could go running, and racing, and dancing, and chasing, and leaping, and bounding, hair flying, heart pounding!"
With each word, Poppy got closer to the tunnel. Sparrow ran after her as she emerged from the curtain of vines, singing loudly,
"And splashing and reeling, and finally feeling! That's when my life begins!" she said, coming to a halt as the birds chirped around her.
Poppy pressed her hands to her face. "I can't believe I did this! I can't believe did this. I can't believe I did this!" she said with a laugh.
Sparrow crossed his arms. "Yea, good for you. Listen, there will be no more singing on this trip, correct?"
Poppy didn't seem to here him, worriedly putting her hands under her chin. "Mother would be so furious." then she smiled again, picking up a flower and sitting on a stone in the stream. "But that's ok, what she doesn't know won't kill her, right?"
Sparrow raised his eyebrows. "Are you asking me?"
Poppy looked worried, dropping the flower and going to the shore, hugging her knees. "Oh my gosh, this would kill her!"
Barber jumped off her shoulders and ran around a tree. Poppy jumped to her feet and chased after him, giggling. When she came around the other side, she kicked a pile of leaves, yelling happily,
"This is SO FUN!" then she stopped, and dropped against the tree trunk, her face filled with horror. "Oh man, I am a horrible person! I'm going back!"
Sparrow perked up. "Wait, really?"
Poppy jumped to her feet, looking at Sparrow eagerly. "Hey, do you think I could do a cartwheel out here? There wasn't enough room in my tower!"
Sparrow blinked. "Uh, I guess, but wern't you-" Ignoring him, Poppy ran to the top of a hill, and cartwheeled down, squealing in excitement.
"I am never going back!" she said laughing, then looking worried again, face planted into a patch of flowers. "I am a despicable human being," she said, her voice muffled.
Sparrow sighed, patting her on the back. Barber chattered, and Sparrow yanked his hand back as Poppy sat up and ran to the tree Barber was sitting in, letting him hop on her back before swinging around the tree with her hair, screaming loudly,
"WOO HOOOOOOOOOO! BEST . DAY . EVER!" before letting go, her face crumpling with tears. Sniffling, she sat against a rock and buried her face in her hands.
Alright, Sparrow thought. I've gotta do something, or this could go on all day. He sat next to Poppy, clearing his throat.
"You know, I can't help noticing that you seem a little… at war, with yourself here." Poppy looked at him, tears still running down her face.
"What?"
Sparrow stood up. "Now listen, I'm only getting pieces of what's going on. Overprotective mom, forbidden road trip, this is serious!" he said, looking down at Poppy. "But let me ease your conscious. This is part of growing up! A little adventure as a kid, that's good for the soul!" he told her. Barber climbed up on his shoulder, narrowing his eyes at him. Sparrow brushed him off, keeping his eyes on Poppy as she brushed the tears out of her eyes and smiled at him.
"You think?"
"I know," Sparrow said confidently. "You're over thinking this, trust me. Does your mother deserve it?" Sparrow shrugged. "No. will it break her heart and crush her soul? Of course! But you gotta do it!"
Poppy looked at him in horror. "Break her heart?" she asked.
Sparrow took a berry off a twig that had gotten caught in Poppy's hair. "In half."
Poppy squeezed a section of her hair. "Crush her soul?"
Sparrow crushed the berry between his fingers. "Like a grape."
Poppy hugged her shoulders as sparrow took her arms and pulled her to her feet. "She would be heartbroken, you're right!"
Sparrow sighed. "I am, aren't I? Oh curses. You know what? I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm letting you out of the deal."
Poppy looked at him in shock. "What?"
"That's right! You don't have to thank me," he said, grabbing the frying pan and Barber. "Let's just get you home where it's safe. Here's your pan, here's your rat," he said, handing them to her and throwing an arm around her. "I'll get my satchel, you'll get back your mother-daughter relationship and we part ways as unlikely friends."
With a frown, Poppy shoved him off and jumped back. "No! I am seeing those lanterns," she said, crossing her arms.
Sparrow groaned. "Oh come on! What is it gonna take to get me my satchel?"
Poppy scowled, and held her frying pan to Sparrow's neck. "I will use this," she snapped. Something rustled in the bushes, and Poppy dropped the frying pan as she turned to look. Her eyes widened in fear, and she jumped on top of Sparrow's back, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding the frying pan out. Sparrow staggered under the unexpected weight, and poppy waved the frying pan at the bushes.
"What is it? Ruffians? Thugs? Have they come for me?" she asked, clenching Sparrow's shoulders tightly.
The bushes rustled one more time before a bunny hopped out, sniffing at the ground. Sparrow glanced at Poppy.
"Stay calm. It can probably smell fear," he said smirking. Poppy laughed nervously.
"Sorry… I guess I'm a little jumpy," she said, rubbing her shoulder.
"Probably best if we avoid ruffians and thugs then, huh?" he said.
Poppy laughed. "Yea, that'd probably be best."
Sparrows eyes widened, and he grinned at Poppy. "Are you hungry? I know a great place for lunch!"
Poppy smiled up at him. "Really? Where?"
Sparrow grabbed her hand and dragged her down the path. "Don't worry! You'll know it when you smell it," he said, winking at her.
…
Holly sighed, leaning up against a tree and looking at Jack.
"Hey Jack, if you were a secret tower, where would you hide?"
He smiled. "Don't worry Holly, we'll find it soon."
Holly smiled back at him. "Thanks Jack," she said softly.
The pair continued the walk through the forest, looking for buildings above the trees. After a few minutes, jack stopped walking.
"Is it ok if we rest for a minute?" he asked Holly. "My feet are killing me."
Holly realised her feet were aching to. She rubbed one, and nodded at Jack. "yea, we can rest for a few minutes."
With a sigh of relief, Jack leaned up against some green leaves, then fell through them with a yelp.
"Jack!" Holly gasped, shoving the ferns aside and leaning over him. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah," jack said. "I'm great, actually!"
"Why?" Holly asked, confused, grabbing one of Jack's hands and pulling him to his feet.
Jack looked down at their intertwined hands, and Holly blushed, letting go quickly.
Jack coughed, then continued. "If someone wanted to hide a tower where no one would find it, wouldn't a hidden tunnel be perfect?"
Holly turned to look down the tunnel, seeing bright green grass at the end. She gasped. "Jack, you're right! Come on!" with new energy, Holly ran down the tunnel, bursting into a hidden area with green grass, and… "the tower!" Holly gasped. She ran to the base and called out.
"Poppy? Poppy, it's me, your sister!" she called. There was no answer. Jack put a hand on her shoulder.
"Maybe she can't hear you. Come on, let's try to find the hidden entrance."
Holly nodded, and she and Jack circled the tower. Holly pointed at a open space in the tower's wall. "There!" she cried. She grinned at Jack, and he grinned back at her before they ran inside, climbing a set of stairs to a brightly lit room, filled with books and paints. The walls were covered with paintings, and Holly gasped sharply, walking across the room to trace her fingers on the outline of a girl with really long auburn hair, like her own. Holly closed her eyes.
"She was here, I know she was. But-" she looked back at Jack, tears in her eyes. "She's not here now. I can tell."
Jack looked at her in sympathy, then hugged her tightly. "Oh Holly, I'm so sorry," he whispered. Holly wrapped her arms around him, and the two of them stood there like that for a few minutes before pulling apart. Holly gave Jack a watery smile.
"Thanks for your help, Jack," she said softly. Jack smiled at her.
"No problem," he said quietly. Holly smiled hesitatingly.
"Jack, my parents told me I could invite a friend to the celebration tomorrow night. Would you want to come with me?"
Jack smiled brightly. "I would love that, Holly." he reached for her hand hesitatingly. "Can I...?" with a smile, Holly took his hand, and the pair started the walk back to the castle, hand in hand the whole time.
…
Hey! So I know the scene with Poppy didn't flow quite as well as the movie, but I tried my best to make it work ^_^ anyway, this chapter was very fun and i hope you enjoyed reading it as much as i enjoyed writing it! bye!
