Princess of Thieves

Another school play, another lead role for Arnold and Helga. How will it turn out this time around?

Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold.
The 'interpretation' and the basis for the 'script' I have used for the Robin Hood play is based very strongly on the Robin Hood TV Series from the BBC (circa 2006-2009). If you haven't ever watched it, you totally should. However, I would like to point out that I also do not own Robin Hood.

March 25th - Helga Revealed

Mr Simmons bounded joyfully into the auditorium with Sheena following close behind, both lugging large black bags.

"Today is a very special day!" Mr Simmons squealed as he bustled his way to the front of the stage, "Our costumes are ready!"

Excited murmurs filled the room, and the eyes of each and every person focussed intently on the large black bags before us.

"We will be doing a full dress rehearsal today in preparation for opening night tomorrow." Mr Simmons explained, "You've each been assigned a dressing room and once you've received your costume today you can head there to change and prepare yourselves. Sheena will be moving from room to room and helping you with your costumes, hair and make-up. Helga, your costume is very special, so Phoebe will stay with you to help out."

Sheena began carefully pulling costume bags from the large pile before her, handing them out to their respective owners.

"Arnold, here is yours." Sheena smiled enthusiastically at me, placing a heavy brown bag into my arms.

I wandered my way slowly down into the corridor, taking note of who was in what dressing room. Gerald was in number one, Helga was in number two and I was in number five. I closed the door gently behind me, taking the time to inspect my dressing room, it was nice and clean, a decent size with good lighting.

Hanging the costume bag onto the rack near the mirror, I slowly opened it to reveal the contents. I pulled out a large pair of dark brown boots with several buckles, and a pair of fawn coloured pants which were slim but thankfully not tights. I looked over two shirts, one a green undershirt and the other a ruffed-up loose brown shirt to go over the top. I was at least relieved they hadn't gone with the traditional felt hat and green tights ensemble.

After pulling my costume on, I rifled through my bag of accessories, which included a rolled up rope, a small arrow head trinket and a utility piece with a row of knives and a place for my sword. My bow was carried in an animal-skin looking bag, with an array of arrows inside.

"Hello Arnold, are you ready for make-up?" Sheena's voice said, as she lightly tapped on my door.

"Yeah, come in Sheena." I replied, turning to help her as she struggled to haul the extensive make-up case into my dressing room.

"Your make-up will be simple." Sheena explained, dipping her fingers into a dark brown paste, "Just a few slicks of brown 'dirt' and a few fake scratches."

Sheena messily patted the brown dirt-like substance onto random places, before picking up a pointed brush and blending thick red and pink lines into my skin to make surprisingly realistic wounds.

"What do you think Arnold?" Sheena asked proudly as I admired her work in the brightly lit mirror.

"Looks great Sheena, just like the costumes." I grinned back at her.

Sheena laughed happily, "Oh, well, I can't take all the credit for the costumes, I had lots of help from Eugene, Phoebe and Helga."

I snapped my head around to face her, "Helga actually helped you?" I enquired in surprise.

Sheena paused and looked thoughtfully toward me, "Yes, I suppose that may come as a shock to some... but, she can be a very nice girl, she's just harsh with her words. I believe she responds and communicates better with body language and actions."

I raised my brow at her, "That's a deep observation..."

"It's obvious in her acting, she plays emotions so well physically." Sheena pointed out.

"I guess you're right." I said thoughtfully, resolving to pay more attention to Helga's body language in future.

"You and Helga have fantastic chemistry." Sheena added with a joyful smile.

I averted my eyes, feeling my cheeks grow warm, "Ah, thanks."

"Well, I had better be off to help Gerald!" Sheena chirped, clutching the large case of beauty essentials in her hands again and towing it out the door.

I swung my arrow bag over my shoulder and headed out into the auditorium. Eugene, Harold, Curly and Stinky were standing together, admiring and comparing each other's costumes. Theirs looked similar to mine, just with slightly toned down colours and less detail.

Lila was standing by a mirror placing a large golden chain around her neck, her hair was in ringlet curls and her dress dropped to the ground with red and gold velvet panels sprawling out from the golden corset that showed off her petite frame.

"You look great Lila." I smiled, as she turned around from the mirror, finally pleased with the placement of her necklace.

Lila grinned, stroking the velvet of her dress, "Oh, thankyou Arnold!" she said cheerfully, "Would you be ever so kind as to take a picture to send to Arnie?"

"No problem." I assured her, as I snapped a quick photo.

"I certainly hope he likes it." Lila giggled, a small blush covering her cheeks.

"Of course he will!" Sid assured her confidently, as he strode over toward us.

Sid was dressed in black pants, with an assortment of weapons attached to the belt, and a studded black leather jacket with metal armour pieces on the shoulders.

"The costumes sure turned out nice." Sid continued, pulling out and admiring the dramatic black and golden sword attached to his belt.

Lila nodded eagerly, "I am ever so certain the studs suit you Sid." she complimented him.

Sid grinned back at her, "My costume for the wedding scene is even better! It's big studded armour stuff!"

"There's different costumes for the wedding scene?" I blurted, my mind flickering through images of Helga wearing a big white dress.

"Yeah." Sid said casually, "Just for me and Helga, she's got a huge gold and white wedding gown apparently."

"How is things goin' with Miss Helga?" Stinky enquired loudly as he wandered over.

Sid shrugged coolly, "Nothing much came of our date at Slaussen's... and she turned down my offer to see a movie. I just wanted to make out or somthin'"

"I think it seems certain that Helga is just not interested." Lila said politely.

"Yeah, figured as much... No problem, she's just some girl – plenty more where she came from!" Sid chuckled.

I felt myself tense a little at the comment. Just some girl? Just? Fortunately, my thoughts were interrupted by Gerald's arrival.

"Hey man, check my style!" Gerald said smoothly, as he sauntered over running his hands over the faux fur on his shoulders.

Gerald's regal ensemble consisted of a silk black shirt with intricate gold embroidery and large puffy shoulder pads, matched with simple black pants and completed with a jewelled golden crown adorning his head.

"Lookin' pretty sharp for an evil guy." Gerald smirked proudly.

"Our costumes look ever so good together!" Lila said excitedly, as she compared the gold of her corset to the golden details on his shirt cuffs.

Gerald chuckled, "Lila, baby, we're gonna be the star couple." he assured her.

Lila's eyes looked past him for a moment and her eyes widened, "Somehow, I don't think so..." she said softly, as she pointed over toward the stage.

Helga appeared before us, biting her lip nervously, causing gasps of shock around the auditorium as the light hit the hints of bronzer on her cheeks and sparkled with the pale golden eye shadow above her long false lashes. Tousled blonde curls fell from the loosely styled bun in her hair, a few curls falling to frame her face and the delicate golden chain around her neck. Helga's elegant gown dipped dangerously low, the corset-style top with vibrant blue sparkles was low cut, creating amazing cleavage that was insanely difficult to stop looking at. Underneath the buttons of the corset at the front, the dress flowed down to the ground with sky blue fabric and at the back, criss-crosses of blue and white ribbon flowed into a white panel with sparkled swirls.

Helga looked amazing, like a medieval goddess.

Lila immediately rushed over to Helga, "Oh my! Helga, you look oh so amazing!" she squealed.

Helga sighed as she swished her gown a little, "That's what Pheebs said. I mean, sure the dress is nice but I'm still just... me."

"Oh Helga, you should not be so harsh on yourself." Phoebe frowned.

I wondered briefly how anybody, herself or otherwise, could look at her and not see it, not see those bright blue eyes, not see how soft and delicate her pale skin looked, not see that cute little nose, not see-

"Nah, you're lookin' hot!" Sid affirmed, raising his eyebrows at her from across the room and breaking me from my wistful thoughts.

Helga crossed her arms angrily, which didn't do much to help the distracting cleavage situation, "Keep it to yourself, bucko!" she snarled.

I smiled for a moment, enjoying the new-found relief of no longer needing to worry about Sid, before quickly returning my gaze to Helga and falling back into a dreamy trance.