Richard O'Brien owns RHPS. Yada, yada, yada...

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Ella was awoken by the sounds of feet and shuffling. She opened her eyes and saw Marianna by the window, opening the blue curtains.

"What time is it?" Ella mumbled.

Marianna didn't seem startled by Ella's sudden words, "Nine o'clock in the morning" She replied.

"Looks like nine o'clock at night" Ella said, looking at the dark sky outside.

"The Queen wants to see you, so I'd get ready now if I was you" Marianna informed her.

"Rightio" Ella sighed and climbed out of bed. She was wearing a long white nightgown that she had found in the chest at the end of her bed.

"Just put on what you wore last night. I'm sure the Queen will send out for some clothes for you soon" Marianna continued. She had a pitcher of water in her hand and was now feeding the strange, spiky plant on the windowsill.

"You don't have to do all that, you know. I don't care if it shrivels up and dies" Ella called out from behind the screen where she was getting dressed.

"Its my duty to. All rooms in the castle must look nice" Marianna told her.

"Why didn't anybody ask me where my Dad was?" Ella asked.

"Why should they? He's dead. Everyone knows that" Marianna shrugged.

Ella couldn't believe how carelessly those words had been spoken, it was the first time someone had announced it properly outloud, and they hit her hard and sharp in the heart. She paused from where she had been combing her hair.

"Shit. Sorry" Marianna said quickly.

"Its okay..." Ella sighed, "How did they find out so quickly?" She said.

Marianna blinked, "He's been dead for ... how many years now?" She replied.

"But he only..." Ella stopped. Its better that they think he's been dead for ages, she thought, I won't have to explain anything.

"Yes?" Marianna waited.

"Nothing" Ella smiled, "Nothing" She repeated, fastening the buckle on her boot.

"I'll escort you down there. I'm probably needed anyway" Marianna offered.

Ella was thankful that Marianna hadn't pressed on with the matter, and instead had moved on quite quickly. She followed her out and up to her Grandmother's room. The room looked the same as it had when Ella had last seen it, the only thing that had changed was the Queen was now dressed in emerald green instead of scarlet. She also held a fan in her hand, and was wafting it over her face. Which suprised Ella as she had thought her Grandmother did practically nothing by herself.

"Marianna where have you been? My hair needs doing!" The Queen snapped.

"Right away, your majesty" Marinna quickly went round to the back of the Queen and started to style her hair.

"Please, your highness, tell me whats happened to Titan" Ella begged.

"You shan't be told again! I ask the questions" The Queen snapped.

"Oh get over yourself..." Ella grumbled.

"What was that?" The Queen screeched.

"Nothing, nothing..." Ella crossed over to the window and looked outside.

"Today we find you a suitable husband" The Queen announced.

"I have one" Ella replied.

"I said a suitable husband!" The Queen glared.

"And I said I have one" Ella growled.

"I don't know how you dare speak to me like this, young lady, but it shan't continue! Stand up straight and face me!" The Queen ordered.

Ella sighed and did as she was told, though slowly. Marianna looked as though she was strongly fighting the urge not to laugh.

"Now, I have a lovely dress for you to wear. I don't know how any of the men I've selected will be able to resist you! Colette will help you into it and then we shall have half an hour to prepare you. Then its straight down to the grand hall to meet your suitors! Oh I just can't wait" The Queen said gleefully, "Isn't this exciting?" She added.

"Oh yes, I've nearly pissed my self here" Ella replied sarcastically.

"Yes, it is very exciting" Marianna said quickly.

There was a knock at the door and another woman entered. She was very tall and quite chubby, with tatty black hair. She looked worn out.

"I'm here for the dress fitting, your majesty" She announced in a hoarse voice.

"Ah, good. Quite late but oh well..." The Queen turned back to Ella, "Follow Colette. Once you are dressed you are to come back here. Just walk in, we have no time to waste with formality" She waved her hand carelessly and Ella left the room with who she took to be Colette.

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