OK, here's chapter two. Many thanks to the people who reviewed!! And for the people who didn't review… grr… Themma had some other name (you'll find out who she is in this chapter) then tell me and I'll change it somehow during the course of the story, I may have overlooked it. On we go...
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Themma's Escapades
Chapter 2: Suitors
A fortnight later, Themma was saying goodbye to her friends at the convent, settling for the long journey home.
***
The first suitor was easy. He was a man of maybe twenty-five, quite handsome, but Themma could see deep down he was a jerk. His name was Fatrond of Stone Mountain. Themma fashioned the most hideous illusion she could, but she made it so that only Fatrond could see it, not her parents. She first made ragged hair, even worse than the time Belle had cut her hair off while Them was sleeping. One eyelid drooped; horn-rimmed glasses fell down a pudgy, freckled nose. Crooked teeth accentuated a harelip; her fat hands blew kisses to her suitor. He left to go to the bathroom, and didn't come back.
The second suitor was in his thirties, not a bad man, but he was old enough to be her father. She gave herself the illusion of a little toy poodle, a very cute one at that.
"Aw, isn't she cute," he said. "Such sleek fur, and she looks up with such adoring eyes. You are lucky to own such a wonderful bitch."
This one was thrown out with the door slammed almost on his nose. Themma could barely hold back hysterical laughter. She had to run to her room, laughing so hard that she cried.
For the third suitor she made herself appear invisible.
"Yes," he said, "I'm sure she is a beautiful girl. Perhaps she is shy? Is she still in her rooms?"
Lady Karenne said with some annoyance, "She is sitting in the chair in front of you."
He laughed. "Yes, she is a beautiful maiden."
They spent an hour trying to get him to see her. Finally he left, accusing them of trying to make a fool out of him.
The fourth suitor was in his late twenties. He saw a young girl of maybe four or five walk up to him politely.
"Hello, little girl," he said. "Could you get me your big sister?"
"You mean Daria?" she asked.
"Themma."
"My name is Themma," she said.
The suitor looked a combination of fear and disgust, and ran out the door.
***
Suitors came and went, and Themma got rid of them one way or another. Finally her parents were completely mystified and furious that they couldn't get anyone to wed their pretty, well-bred daughter. Then came the Last Suitor. He was young, maybe nineteen or twenty. He was even stiffer than Mistress Dellings was, if that was possible. He looked as if his pants were starched. His name was Alan of Trebond. Themma did the usual ugly illusion, and made it her worst. This one may be hard to get rid of. He just smiled, and said
"I'm sure you'll make a lovely Lady of Trebond." and he signed the papers, sealing the betrothal.
In her fury, Themma's illusion disappeared. "You'll pay for this, Alan of Trebond," she said icily, knocking over her chair and storming out of the room, leaving a trail of illusion flame behind her. Alan just smiled, as if he knew this was going to happen all along.
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I know that was short, but I wanted to leave it right there. Now you know who she is, eh? Remember: five reviews or I won't write any more. I need to know, does anyone remember the names of Roger's parents? I need them for the next chapter, I can't do it without their names. If names are never mentioned, then just give me some Names From Nowhere. Thanks!