A/n: Alrighty folks, now that we're down to the wire, I find myself in a bit of a pickle. You see, I can't really include the entire play, it would take too long, and be pointless to the plot. So what I think I am going to do is show several semi-important (or just fun) scenes, and let you guys use your imagination to figure out the rest, okay? Sound good? Good. Thanks for understanding =), Now back to the story
The New Hope Players
Chapter 8
--December 20th around 1 pm- New Hope--
Fulcher came trotting into the gate, waving up at Meech who sat keeping watch on the walls. By the time Fulcher got all the way in, Yuki, Raoul, Daine and Buri were halfway across the lawn heading towards him as he stopped and turned to the four young'uns sitting businesslike at the table.
"Fulcher!!!" Gydo and Loey cried, they'd gotten quite close to the corporal over their Scanra adventure, he had proved to have a generous supply of sweets hidden in his saddle bags, as the ever curious and sneaky Loey and Gydo had noted. That alone made him the perfect friend for a twelve year old common girl.
Fulcher smiled at the kids, dug in his pocket and produced five candies that he handed down to Gydo, "Here you go, some sweets for the most brilliant, if evil children I've ever hoped to meet. Share those now, like a good girl, and give one to Meech okay?" He hopped down from his horse as the kids nodded happily. Tobe, his mouth full of sugary goodness came and took the horse away smiling happily.
Fulcher turned and marched over to Yuki, Daine, Raoul, and Buri, who'd just gotten there, "Sir, Ladies." He said, bowing like a Player, that is to say dramatically, "The plan goes good," He said straightening, "Dom was still asleep when I left at one hour till high noon, so so far so good. And oh, those children," he nodded his head backwards to where the children sat, savoring their sweets, and whispering conspiratorially, "Are much too clever for their own good. I take it that none of you even knew that they where telling us to go as slow as humanly possible, take as many stops, and forget something at everyone? AND they asked us to poison Dom's dinner with wakeflower, and strangely enough they had the right dosages measured so he'd wake up at noon exactly. They are past the point of almost scary. I sure don't want to upset them."
"You have no idea." said Yuki with a sigh, "I still don't know what they're going to do next! I wouldn't be surprised if they're going to salt the ice tomorrow to make Kel fall into Dom..."
No one had noticed that Tobe had been standing just away from the group, far enough to look busy, but close enough to hear every word the adults said. He crept back to the others with a smirk on his face. And the next morning a box of salt among with other things was discovered missing from the kitchen.
December 20 cont'd around 2pm New Hope.
"Yuki! Why on earth did you make us drag these cursed things all the way to headquarters?" Alanna swore, and dropped a heavy trunk on the floor of the hallway outside Kel's room.
"Yes, pray tell Yuki! Said Buri, as she and Daine dropped a saddle bag apiece on the floor next to the trunk, "Why did you want us to bring our ugliest old dresses anyway?"
Yuki smiled, "It was Loey's idea. You see it hits two targets with one arrow: firstly we need to keep Kel busy, and secondly she really does need proper formal attire for the play," Yuki dropped her sewing basket lightly atop the pile of things, "So that's what we're to do. Torture her for hours, making her wear every ugly dress we have, settle upon one, and then make her stay with us as we decide every other little detail about it."
"But... wait I'm confused, you making her wear an ugly gown to the play?" Daine frowned, "I though you wanted her to look pretty?"
"Oh she will, this is just a faux dress, in all actuality this entire thing is pointless... you see Lalasa sent Kel two very pretty dresses this September. One was for the weddings, but one I was to save for Midwinter. And before you ask, Kel can't wear the dress she wore to the wedding, because if you remember, a rather drunk soldier threw his wine goblet all over all of the bridesmaids for 'luck' so that dress is ruined." Yuki said smiling, "And hush I hear someone coming."
Loey came down the hallway, towing a miserable looking Kel behind her, "Found her!" she cried happily before laughing heartily the child ran off.
"So, Loey says I'm to be assigned a dress for the performance, Whoopee." She said glumly.
"What's got you all sad? You normally like clothes I thought," said Daine as they transferred all of the bags and trunks from the hall into Kel's room.
"Yeah... I guess so, just all this midwinterness, and I haven't even seen Dom or his squad at all!" said Kel, dropping into an armchair by her bed as Yuki dug around in the trunk, pulling out a truly hideous garment, a big poofy paisley skirt with a pink bodice and paisley sleeves.
"What the heck is that?!" Kel yelped as Yuki handed it to her.
"The first dress we want you to try," said Buri, with a wicked smile.
Kel went through dress after dress after dress, each more hideous than the last, there was one with a huge purple butterfly covering the back of the orange skirt; one with so much pink lace, it reminded Kel of a lover's day note; so many awful gowns that Kel thought she'd never find a decent one. She didn't.
"Well, I guess it's back to that one," sighed Kel, pointing to the only dress in the room that had almost fit her, it was vomit-green, with orange frills and across the front was a big yellow bow dripping in white lace. She sighed sadly, slid on the atrocity and stood on a stool, allowing the other ladies to take out the hem and fix it up a little.
"So Daine! I've been meaning to ask you, when did you finally accept Numair? I mean you sent me a letter saying you wanted to announce your engagement during our festivities, but you didn't give us details." Yuki said, threading a needle with green thread.
Daine raised an eyebrow at the eagerly listening ladies, "What details?" she asked slowly.
"Well," Buri said, nearly sticking Kel with a needle as she stood up, "Oh sorry Kel, But Daine when, where, and how? We may be combat women, but we still like to gossip. So when did he ask you?"
"He hasn't." Daine said simply, stitching a new hem.
"What!?"
Daine smiled "He hasn't asked me yet. Actually he hasn't asked me to marry him in a year; I think he may have given up. What a pity."
"So... wait, I'm confused. When you announce it to the world, you'll also be announcing it to Numair?" Kel asked the wildmage, her face puzzled.
"Goddess No!" Daine laughed, "He'll ask me, but I have to prod him in the right direction first. Men!" she sighed, "So idiotic sometimes. Oh, and Kel, in order to get him to ask me, I'll need another name card for our door, and a little help. I plan to do this tomorrow..."
Outside the window, Loey sighed inwardly, it seemed like everyone was plotting something here at New Hope.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
--December 20th, cont'd New Hope--
It was nearly four thirty when Dom and his squad finally arrived.
"Sir Dom!!!" cried Tobe, Gydo and Irnai who sat behind their table. They all ran around to hug the road-worn Sergeant as he slid down off his saddle.
"You're very, very late," chastened Tobe as Gydo led the squad away to the stables, and Irnai dug through her papers, hiding her smirk "Very late," Tobe continued, "The riders were here first thing this morning! And Raoul, Buri, Daine and Numair were here yesterday!"
"We ran into... difficulties." muttered Dom looking around.
"If you're looking for Lady Kel," Irnai said walking over to them, her smirk under control "Good luck tearing her away from Alanna, Daine, Yuki and Buri. They are having a 'ladies day', complete with dresses and face paints. Oh and here," She handed Dom a key, "That's the key to you lodgings; the room is normally Loey's so take care of it. It's next to Kel's, come, I'll show you where..." she led the Sergeant off.
"Tobe," Loey came running up behind the lad, "Guess what?"
"What?" Tobe sighed, plopping down on his stool.
"I was listening to the ladies these past two or so hours, and well..."
"Well what?"
"Buri still hasn't told Raoul what Irnai told her, Lady Johanna of OkeBridge wears a wig, Daine has a plan to get Numair to ask her to marry him, Yuki wants purple shoes for Midwinter, Kel thinks she's going to wear a truly awful gown, and Sir Neal can't ice skate." Loey bounced up and down.
"Wait... half off that was useless, but that some of it... Gosh Loey do you know what we can do with that information!?" Tobe looked much more energetic all of the sudden; he hopped up and paced back and forth.
"I know!" Loey smiled evilly, "I mean, with the info on Lady Buri alone we could have fun. Though, let's leave that alone for the minute."
"Yeah, I agree," Tobe nodded, "But the dirt on Sir Neal and Daine..." he smiled wickedly.
"Boy it's good to be a kid."
