It's been a VERY long time, but I am back! Finally! After a long bout of writer's blockade (ideas wanted to come out, but evil forces prevented it! Mwahaha), I have, at last, posted! *cheers all around* Thanks to all who have reviewed! *much hugs* Sorry this chapter is so short, but I have an idea of how to start the next one... and I had to run with it!
Chapter 3:
Hades: Hey, I thought I was supposed to be in this story!
Author: You are.
Hades: Well, we're coming up on the third chapter and I don't see me anywhere!
Author: You will be included soon.
Hades: No, I don't want soon! I want me and Cindermushie and I want it now!
Author: You'll get him! Eventually! Now let me write it so you can-
Hades: *picketing* Who do I want? Cindermushie! When do I want him? Now! *repeats*
Author: *knocks out Hades and stashes the body until she can use her* And, without further ado...
Cindermushie road to the grand party thrown by Self-Declared Princess Hades with his head out the coach window and butterflies dancing the mambo in his stomach... not that he knew what the mambo was. Behind him, he thought he heard a scream of terror. Looking back, he saw a troupe of winged individuals chasing down a winged Spot. "That must've been what Bit was talkin' 'bout. Him bein' a member of th' Fairy Godnewsie thing an' all." He turned his head to the front again before realizing they had stopped.
"Hey driver, we stopped!"
The driver squeaked at him, in an indignant, mousy tone.
Skittery-horse snorted. "That's 'cause we's there, ya moron!"
Leaning to the other side of the carriage, Cindermushie looked out the opposite window. "So we are!" Lights, loud music from Medda's orchestra, and many bizarre fragrances greeted and overwhelmed his senses. He was nervous. One of the mousemen came around to open his door for him, and promptly, he fell out of the coach, narrowly missing a dirty puddle of water.
Skittery-horse laughed... or brayed like a donkey, as it sounded to Cindermushie. With a pout, Cindermushie climbed to his feet and brushed off his clothes. Turning on his heels, he took a deep breath. "This's it, Cindermushie," he muttered under his breath. "You's gonna knock 'em dead!" He headed for the entrance.
"Hey, Cindermushie!" Skittery-horse called out. "Don' forget, ya gotta be back by midnight! Otherwise, Bit may make me stay lookin' like this horse!"
With a cheerful nod and wave, Cindermushie turned and continued into New Irving Hall. Cigarette smoke stung his eyes and loud ragtime music played merrily from somewhere within the din of all the bodies engaged in various activities. He smiled happily. He was at Hades' party!
He walked further into the crowd, eyes searching for the lovely Self-Declared Princess Hades. The crowd stared and parted like the Red Sea as Cindermushie came through.
'Who was that beautiful person?' they all wondered, staring at him in awe. And seated at the middle of the parting, was the birthday girl herself. She was surrounded by several newsboys vying for her attention, including the two boys of the Wicked Newsie Trio. Hades, of course, was eating all the attention up until her eye caught the beautiful Cindermushie coming down the parted sea of Newsies. Suddenly, she stopped cooing and flirting with the boys around her, got to her feet, and headed towards Cindermushie. Mississippi and Blank stared at Cindermushie in wonder. Who was this beautiful newcomer and how in the world did he steal Hades from them?!
"'Ey, I ain't seen you b'fore, newsboy. Ya new 'round these parts?" Hades inquired, circling Cindermushie to give him the full inspection.
Shrugging, he laughed helplessly, nervous from her inspection, giddy from her attention, and just plain happy, because... he was Cindermushie! "Eh, ya can say that."
She held out her arms. He stared at them blankly; they were nice arms.
"Well... Dance wit' me why don'cha?!"
"Oh!" He blushed. "'Course!" Taking her arms, they danced around the room.
Everyone watched on; the men jealous of Cindermushie, the ladies jealous of Hades.
"I don't understand it! What's 'e got that we ain't got?!" Blank scowled.
"Good looks, that's what," Shadow replied. "What I wanna know is what's she got that I ain't got!"
"Better looks." Mississippi whacked her upside the head.
"Watch th' hair, watch th' hair!" she hollered.
Cindermushie and Hades were oblivious to the commotion outside their little world. He was unable to believe it. He- Cindermushie!- was dancing with the Self-Declared Princess herself! How lucky could a fellow be?!
"Boy, you's jus' the handsomest fella I ever saw!" Hades commented. "What's ya name?"
"Me name?" He gulped. She nodded. "Um... um... oh, I forgot t' tell ya happy birthday," he replied, artfully dodging the question.
"Yeah." She grinned. "It's th' best day in th' whole city of New York. I's workin' on talkin' to th' mayor about makin' it a holiday."
"I betcha can!"
Her chest puffed up with pride. "Course I can!"
"You's very beautiful, Miss Hades," he added.
"'Course I am!"
Off in the distance, Shadow tapped her foot impatiently. "Ya know, that handsome man looks real familiar." Blank and 'Sippi were too busy drooling over Hades to hear her. "I SAID that man looks real familiar!"
They both managed to pull their attention away from Hades and looked at Shadow. "What man?"
She rolled her eyes. "Th' man wit' Hades, stupids!"
"Ohhh..." They paused to look at the man finally.
'Sippi nodded. "Yes... he does look familiar..."
Blank just shrugged. "Ain't no need t' worry 'bout it now! We gots to go dance with some lovely ladies 'til Hades is free."
"Good plan, good plan." Together, the boys strutted off.
Shadow folded her arms over her chest. "Jerks... I'm a perfectly good person t' dance with! .... Guess I'll jus' wait 'til that boy is free t' dance."
But she never got to dance with him. Cindermushie and Hades waltzed around the floor the entire night. Cindermushie was in heaven. He was actually dancing with the self-declared queen herself! Oh, what a glorious day it had be-
DONG!!
Cindermushie stiffened. What was it the Fairy Godnewsie had said? Be home by midnight?
DONG!!
"What's the matter?" Hades inquired, watching him.
DONG!!
"I uh... I gotta go!" He bolted for the door.
"Wait! I don't even know ya name!" But he was gone. She stomped her foot. "The muttonhead... Jack! Find me the name of that newsie!"
"Ma'am yes ma'am!" He gave her a snazzy salute, ran into the door, and promptly passed out.
She rolled her eyes. "I need t' hire someone new to be my minion..."
Meanwhile, outside, Cindermushie was rushing for the carriage.
"Hurry it up, Cindermushie!" Skittery-horse neighed impatiently.
Trying his best to hurry, he slipped and fell on the steps, losing his pretty new shoes. The shoe flew into the air and plopped down out of his reach on the top step. "My shoooooooe!" he cried.
"No time for that now, get a move on!" Skittery-horse demanded, stomping his hoof impatiently.
Drying the tears of loss from his face, Cindermushie hobbled to the carriage and climbed in. The clock was somewhere on its last final 'dongs' as they pulled away.