~Chapter 27~

Riley

I was green and covered in slime and my loud scream woke up everyone. Remaining calm was the first task at hand, but I couldn't help being a bit panicked. Tiana and Naveen looked down at their hands and they celebrated the fact they were human again, but why did I turn?

"R-Ri?" Lucas muttered, "What happened?"

He walked over to me offering his hands for me to hop into.

"Naveen lied about his identity." I accused pointing my froggy arm at him, "So the curse projected itself on me."

"Take it easy." Naveen replied, "Yes I lied and I'm sorry about that, but I had to try."

"You are so selfish." Tiana muttered.

"What's it to you, huh?" Naveen said getting in Tiana's face, "You're human again too, so why are you complaining?"

"It's not right at someone else's expense." Tiana replied gesturing to me.

They both got immediately heated and I appreciated Tiana having my back. Lucas looked down at me seemingly nervous.

"What do you want to do about this, Ri?" He asked.

"Do?" I asked incredulously, "There is nothing to do at this point. Our first objective is to find the djinn in this area. This slimy, green form is just a distraction at this point. I know we can do this." I said determinedly

I was frustrated at this situation naturally. In my mindset, the only way to return to my normal human self would be a kiss from someone of legitimate royal blood, but maybe it was different for me because I didn't turn right after I kissed Naveen as a frog. I refused to allow myself to be distracted. It was a bump in our road, but we would overcome it...somehow.

"Please, can we help you on your quest?" Tiana asked me.

"Uh, we?" Naveen replied crossing his arms.

"You owe her!" Tiana snapped, "You're going to help her or so help me, I'll-"

"Alright," Naveen agreed, "No need to get so testy."

I think Tiana was more worked up about the situation than I was.

"We'll go visit Mayor La Bouff in town and see if we can't figure out an answer for your situation." Tiana said.

"How will we meet up?" Lucas asked.

"Huh, good question. Though, it's not like many people traverse through the bayou." Tiana replied.

"We'll head in the opposite direction of your town." I answered.

"This is foolish. There are no djinns here. Such a laughable concept." Naveen complained.

"Laughable concept, huh?" Nebula growled poofing herself out from her home.

His eyes grew wide at the sudden appearance of my feisty djinn.

"I'm sorry. I meant no disrespect." Naveen said holding up his hands.

"Remember, if you disrespect my master, you disrespect me. Got it?" Nebula snapped.

Naveen timidly nodded his head as Nebula vanished again. He had briefly met her before, but I think he forgot about it. She definitely proved a point to him at least. I felt bad about keeping the djinns cooped up so much. I wanted to hide Nebula and Azozel safe from prying eyes, so I opted to have them in their homes while we traveled. However there was nobody around at the moment.

"Let's go…" Naveen urged Tiana pulling her by the arm.

"How about letting me lead to my town?" Tiana replied yanking her arm away.

She turned back toward us with a wave saying they shouldn't be long. Then it was just Lucas and I alone again.

"So, where to?" Lucas questioned.

"Maybe that woman knows about the djinn...though I don't know where she is." I muttered thinking aloud.

"Who?" Lucas replied.

"Oh...what's her name?' I said tapping my head, "She's short and blind and has a pet snake."

"I don't want to find this crazy lady." Lucas joked.

"Hoo hoo cher, you're looking for Mama Odie. She's just a bit north from y'all."

All of us glanced around to identify our new guest and when I saw a little glow descend from the trees, I knew exactly who our flying friend was.

"Hi everyone, the names Raymond, but you can call me Ray."

He was a bit bigger than I expected him to be, but of course, my perceptions have currently changed due to my current form. Ray was a green firefly with crooked antenas and sparse teeth. His accent was thick and hard to understand, but he was Cajun so it made sense.

"It's nice to meet you, Ray." I said as the firefly flew over my head, "I'm Riley and this is my best friend, Lucas."

Ray squirmed around Lucas looking him over curiously.

"What are y'all doing in the bayou?" He asked.

"Trying to find the djinns scattered all over. We find the djinns...it will ultimately lead to my stepdad." I explained.

"Y-You lost your family, cher?"

"They were taken from me…" I corrected, "I'm here in Fantasia to get them back and reunite my family."

"That's such a heavy burden…" Ray said patting the top of my froggy hand.

"Well, I was the only one who could do it, so there was no other option..."

"And that's why I'm here." Lucas interrupted.

"Ray wants to help, fo sho." Ray said, "Let's get you to Mama Odie lickedy split, ya?"

"Lead the way." I said.

"Easy for you to say…" Lucas replied, "I'm doing all the walking since I've got human sized legs." He smirked.

"My family and I will light the way for y'all."

Ray immediately whistled summoning forth many more fireflies and they surrounded us in seconds.

"Now, it's time to show you the right way to travel through the bayou, firefly style." Ray grinned.


AN: Ray is probably one of my favorite secondary characters from the movie. Love that I'm working with this character!

Fun fact: "Cher" means dear in Cajun (had to look that one up) ;)