Author's Note: I know I had promised this days ago, but I just now got it written. It was much more challenging than I thought, and apparently the rest of December and January were busy... it actually made me look like I have some kind of life or something. Anyway, I actually have other things to talk about this time.
I just want to warn you (as this is the tenth chapter, and I feel like some sort of announcement should be made), that there will be character deaths in this story. :) Surprise! But they're not pointless deaths. They're still a ways off, so don't get too spooked. I just wanted to warn those who don't like character deaths to get out of this story before you get too attached.
Next... if there is any fan art out there that I don't know about, or if anyone is inspired to draw fan art, by all means, tell me! I can't pay you for it, but if I was to see a drawing or something of the town or one of the scenes, I just might have an aneurysm.
Finally, I've been getting really into deviantART. (I don't have an account, but I could spend hours on there). That's one of the reasons I didn't have this up the other day... I kind of became obsessed with the Fiolee pairing from Adventure Time with Finn(or Fionna) and Jake (Cake)... all because of a picture of Marshall Lee and Fionna Viria13 did in an art dump. So, I spent a while reading some Fiolee stories. :) Luckily for y'all, I made myself stop so I could write. ANYWAY... I was just wondering if I should add this to deviantART by getting my own account. I think it'd get more attention and greater potential for fan art, which would be nice. But it's also more accessable for people. I don't know. Just a thought. Let me know what you think.
Finally, I wrote this chapter while listening to "We're Still Here" by Sleeping At Last, which explains a lot as to the mood if you listen to it. It kind of turned out darker than I wanted, but it's okay. I hope you enjoy! Happy 2013!
Today was the day that Jim Hawkins was to show the evil stepsisters the way of the town. He woke up early, groggily putting on his boots and a shirt, not bothering to change pants, briefly shaking his hair to get it to look somewhat presentable. He finished by half-heartedly brushing his teeth, and he headed out of the door, locking the door behind him.
This was Jim's reward for his hard work in finding the sisters—rising early and spending even more time with them. Spending time with people isn't something that Jim liked. It's why his job was scouting the woods early in the morning… alone. And the sisters weren't just normal people either. They were loud and annoying, and required far too much attention.
Knocking on the girls' bright pink front door, Jim hardly expected a reply. They were probably still asleep. He jiggled the doorknob. It was unlocked. Most people in town didn't lock their doors, but he found it odd that two girls that were raised by a villain didn't lock their door. Judging from their previous behavior, they had forgotten, or simply were too lazy to lock it. Sighing, Jim entered the house, slamming the door behind him, hoping that the sound would wake up the girls so that he wouldn't have to.
He waited for a minute, looking around their living room. Most everything was still in boxes. Another reason that he couldn't have spoken to Merida after the coronation yesterday was that he had to unpack the furniture and clothing given to them by the crown. They had gotten many stares as they unpacked. The Disneylanders were by no means used to seeing villains' faces, especially if they were behaving peacefully.
After five more minutes of waiting, Jim went by the two girls' bedroom doors, knocking on them, hearing the pattern of alternating snores coming from each. When he heard no disturbance or movement from the interior of the rooms, he considered screaming for a moment. It would allow him to both wake up the girls and get out some frustration—kill two birds with one stone. He decided against it. It wouldn't be nice… and Jim did have a nice side…sometimes.
He knocked on Anastasia's pink door. "Anastasia, it's Jim. Time to get up!" he called, trying to sound cheery, but failing under his croaky early morning voice… and apathy.
Jim leaned over to Drizella's blue door. "Drizella, rise and shine! We've got a lot to do today." After a few seconds of waiting, Jim didn't notice any changes. Rolling his eyes, he entered Anastasia's room.
She looked peaceful and happy. Jim couldn't help but wondering what her life was like back at the villains' camp. Maybe this transition into Disneyland would be a good thing for them… to escape that lifestyle. Anastasia did looked a little relieved—
Jim's deep thoughts were interrupted by a loud snore. She wasn't so bad when she was unconscious. Laughing a little to himself, Jim shook Anastasia's shoulder gently. "Wake up, Anastasia. We have a long day ahead of us."
Anastasia rolled over, sighing and stretching. "I don't want to."
Jim felt angry and amused at the same time. These girls were hard to wake up. "Anastasia," he said it firmly, commanding her, daring her to defy him again.
She pulled the covers over her head. "Anastasia, if you don't get out of that bed, I'm getting a bucket of water with your name on it."
Anastasia popped up, her hair sticking out every which way. "You wouldn't."
Jim smirked. "You bet I would. Up and at 'em. Come and help me get Drizella up, then you can get dressed. You have a job to go do today."
Sticking her tongue out at him, Anastasia rolled out of bed. Barging through the door, she burst into Drizella's room with Jim following close behind.
"Drizzy. Up. Now!" she screamed. Drizella bolted up straight in bed with a bewildered look on her face.
Anastasia turned to Jim. "See? You just have to do it more forcefully." She skipped past him into her room, slamming her door as she went.
He looked back at Drizella, who was still sitting confused on her bed. "Get dressed. We'll get some breakfast when we get to the training gym. Come in the living room when you're ready."
She nodded once. Jim crossed his arms and left, shutting the door behind him.
He sat on the sisters' new couch, pink and green floral… Victorian style. It wasn't very comfortable. Looking around at the boxes, he realized that the rest of the unpacking would take a long time… more time than he would like to give away. But he was going to see Merida today, and nobody could stop him. Not even the sisters.
He stared at the grandfather clock in the corner. It was six. Jim had come over at five. Why were the girls taking so long?
"Hey, if you could, hurry it up, please? We need to be at the Training Gym in thirty minutes, and it's a long walk. Phil doesn't like late comers," Jim half shouted into the back of the house.
"Okay, almost done!" yelled Drizella back. Anastasia stepped out of the bathroom door wearing a new dress and bow.
"Ah! Much better than our other dresses. Those were all tattered from that wretched forest. They look almost exactly the same! Who did you say made these, Jim?" asked Anastasia.
"Giselle. She's extremely talented at dress-making," Jim said.
"Interesting. I shall have to go and ask her for more. This fabric is simply divine."
Drizella came out a few minutes later in a dress exactly like her last one. Following Jim out of the door and down the street, they began talking about how lovely the dresses were and how good they felt in them and how wonderful they both looked.
After a small while, Jim couldn't take this sort of talk any more. Might as well start training them now.
"So, girls. You are to report to the Training Gym every morning at six-thirty sharp. If you are late, the time you missed will be served at the end of the work day. The heroes will ask you questions, which you must answer. For every question you refuse to answer, one of your new possessions will be taken away. After this questioning, Phil will tell you your duties for the day. Things change quickly around here, so there are always things that need to be done. You will be provided breakfast and lunch, and will be given thirty minutes to eat each. You will be dismissed at five o'clock in the evening. Afterwards, I will escort you to your house. You may stay there, but if you wish to leave, you are to call me to accompany you. My main job is to supervise you and make sure you are where you need to be at all times. I am also to answer any questions you may have. Whenever you feel comfortable, you may tell Phil that you are ready to be independent. If he feels you are ready and trustworthy, then I may go back to my regular duties. Am I clear?" Jim lectured in a monotone voice without looking at the sisters.
"Yes. But I have one question," started Drizella, "Where are we to eat dinner?"
"You're grown. You can provide for yourselves. Your kitchen is stocked with food and cooking supplies. You may also use the money you earn to go out to eat, which I would have to escort you to. Any other questions?"
The girls shook their heads. "Good. And in perfect timing. Your questioning session will begin in five minutes. Good luck," Jim said, opening the door to the Gym for them and following them in.
"I'm tired," Drizella complained as she dragged her feet, trudging far behind Jim, who was walking at a steady pace.
"How much longer?" asked Anastasia, who looked exhausted.
"Not much farther. I wanted to stop somewhere first. I promise it's not far from your house. But you need to come with me," said Jim, who was moving even faster now. He had been waiting since yesterday, and now he was so close. He couldn't let the sisters' speed hinder him.
The girls were too tired to argue with him. They had spent the day doing odd jobs—everything from cleaning public restrooms, tending to the Royal Garden, and even walking Pluto. No wonder they were tired. Jim was getting worn out just watching them.
Finally, Jim could see the smoke coming up out of the cabin's brick chimney. He pointed. "There it is. When we get there, you can have a nice rest. Maybe she'll even give you something to eat, if you're hungry."
Anastasia and Drizella didn't respond. Jim casually walked up to the wooden door, shoving his hands in his pockets after knocking. He heard light shuffling inside, then the key in the lock, and finally, the door opened to reveal a very curious Merida.
"Hullo," said Merida, crossing her arms too and staring back at Jim. "Can I help you?"
"Uh, yeah, actually. I'm sorry… you probably don't know who I am," Jim began a little nervously. "My name's Jim Hawkins. I work up at the Training Gym, too. But my shift starts at four in the morning, which explains why you don't recognize me."
The only reason he was nervous was that he was asking for something. Jim hated asking for things—especially from people he didn't know very well, which was just about everyone.
Merida tilted her head, not really in agreement or understanding, but more so she could study him. He stood still, avoiding meeting her gaze as her eyes swept over him. She was really quite intimidating. The strength she had displayed yesterday should have been a clear indication, but Jim was selfishly thinking of how she could help him, instead of who she was. She wasn't shorter than him at all… in fact, they were the same height, which didn't help his nerves. At least he beat her in muscle mass…
"And what may I help you with, Hawkins?" Merida asked, placing her hands on her hips, still blocking her doorway.
At this point in time, the sisters had caught up and were now complaining loudly behind Jim.
"I thought you said we were going to rest soon," groaned Drizella loudly.
"When can we get home?" asked Anastasia, who had propped her head on her sister's shoulder.
Merida stared at them for a minute, then ushered the three in silently with a wave of her hand. Smiling gratefully at her, Jim lead the way in, followed by the sisters, and finally Merida, who was shaking her head doubtfully at the whole situation.
"Sit down, Mr. Hawkins… ladies. May I offer you anything to eat or drink?" Merida said politely, heading towards a door that must have been the kitchen.
Immediately, the sisters rattled off many different food orders. After a few seconds, Merida saw that it wasn't going to end. She entered the kitchen and returned with three glasses of water and a bowl of candy. As soon as she sat it on the coffee table, the sisters lunged for it, bringing packaged candies by the armloads back to their chair.
Jim was glad that they were occupied. It should keep them quiet for a while.
Merida sat across from Jim in an oversized, fur covered arm chair. She smiled lightly, invitingly, and a little understandingly.
"Your Highness, first of all I just wanted to congratulate you on your coronation. You'll be a great addition to the royalty," Jim said, a little more at ease now.
But the statement seemed to make Merida uncomfortable. She looked down at her hands which were clasped in her lap. "Thank you. I hope to be." She said it a little coldly, although not with malice towards Jim. She said it more like she didn't believe her own words.
"You did quite excellently on your vow, too. Out of all the princesses I've seen say the same, you said it best. You said it like you believed it. It really showed your strength," Jim rambled briefly, forcing himself to a stop.
Merida's pained look did not disappear. After a sigh, she looked up at him, lowering her eyebrows. "Hawkins, did you come here to flatter me, or for help, like you said?"
"I'm sorry. It's just that after your coronation, I thought that you'd be the perfect one to help me out with my problem."
"And your problem is…?"
Without saying a word, Jim tilted his head towards the stepsisters, who had managed to get chocolate all over their faces. Looking back at Merida, she nodded knowingly. "Aye. I see. What can I do for you?"
"Be there to call on when I don't know what to do. I don't know how girls work and things like that. It'd be nice to have a female's opinion. And maybe to watch them so I can have some alone time?" Jim smiled apologetically. "I found them in the forest days ago, and I brought them back to the Training Gym. When they went on trial, I was appointed as their supervisor. What a reward that was…"
Merida leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees. "What's in it for me?"
"The pure satisfaction of doing your royal duties and helping a guy out?" Jim said, batting his eyes a little.
Merida nodded her head, laughing. "Sure. Can't be that bad."
Jim beamed with gratitude. "Thank you so much, Your Highness! You have no idea how much this will make a difference."
"Oh no, I have a vague idea. And don't call me Your Highness." She sat for a minute, in thought again, slumped into the chair, letting her legs part a little bit, something very rare for a princess, but she didn't seem to care or notice.
"Hawkins, why didn't you ask me this yesterday at the after party?"
"I…I'm not usually seen at public events. Kind of starts rumors. I'm not exactly a social guy…" Merida shrugged, then entered what looked like a deep thinking state. Jim now felt that he and his two now sugar coated groupies were no longer welcome. "Thank you… Merida," he said, leading both of the girls out of the cabin by their arms.
"You're welcome… Jim," she muttered quietly, watching him go with that same kind of blank stare.
In the boys' wood-boarded living room, a fire crackled lowly in the hearth, softly lighting the faces of the two sitting there.
One was staring into it, thinking deep thoughts, as the other sat with a book, playing with the edge of his leather bookmark.
Peter was trying desperately to sort everything out in his mind. He knew one thing—he wanted Wendy back—and he would do just about anything to have her.
He had bought clothes from Giselle's yesterday after he had walked out of Belle's Books. Today, he was wearing jeans and a plaid shirt, along with Converse. He wasn't used to it at all. The jeans were heavy—much heavier than his normal leaves. The shirt was hot, as it was still summer outside. He had made Taran promise to teach him how to dress, as he had put on the same change of clothes every day since he could remember.
He hoped that during his time on the town today, Wendy might have noticed his change in demeanor. Not only had changed his clothes, but he also began walking, no longer taking his daily pixie dust from Tinker Bell. His house mates, Michael and John Darling and Taran, began worrying about him, but no one said anything.
Peter's mind was not focused on what the others thought of him… only what Wendy thought of him. Now, he sat in front of the fire, with Taran reading by his side, staring at the flames as if they were to tell him his next move. Was he to talk to Wendy? Ask her for a date? Remain silent? Peter shook his head to clear it. Resting his head upon his hand once again, he sighed.
Taran looked up from his book. "Are you okay, Peter?" Peter murmured something unintelligible, but Taran knew his friend too well. "You don't sound fine. You need to talk?"
Peter cut his eyes over at his friend. "Taran, how did you and Eilonwy first get together?"
Taran was a little surprised. Was that really what his immature friend was thinking about? "I…it just kind of happened, I guess. We had mutual feelings for a while, but I guess I was the one who acted on it first, in retrospect." Peter looked back at the fire. Taran shifted in his seat, ready for a laborious conversation. "Peter, what's this about?"
"What's what about? I can't change my clothes?" asked Peter defensively.
"You know what I'm talking about. You haven't been this quiet… well, ever. What's going on with you?"
Defeated, Peter held his forehead in his palms. "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately."
Tilting his head disbelievingly, Taran glared at Peter. "Obviously." He shot a glance down the hallway which held all four of the boys' bedrooms. "Michael and John are asleep in their rooms. If it's about Wendy, you can talk to me."
Peter nodded. After a minute or so, he whimpered, "Do you think what I'm doing is wrong? Changing for Wendy?"
Taran put down his book. "Well, I think it depends on your intentions. If you intend on changing everything about you… I mean, what makes you… you, just to get Wendy's attention, then yes, there's something wrong with it."
Peter nodded. "I just really want her back."
Taran smiled. "I know."
There was a long pause.
"Oh, and Taran?"
"What, Peter?"
"If you tell anyone this, you're going to be kicked all the way to Neverland."