"More wine, Miss?" a Charming butler asked Anya as she stood on the edge of the mingling crowd, staring off into space.
She gave a curt smile and shook her head as he moved on through the crowd of Fantasia Elite, or as she liked to refer to them as the Fantasia Antiques, given that the guests at Charles Charming's fundraising dinner were among the oldest of oldest families in Fantasia. Old Governor Swann, The Princes, The Roses, Lady Tremaine and of course her new found family – the Beastmans. It was all she could do not to run straight in the direction of the Jungle's home, where Will was mingling with the more modern set of Fantasia's wealthiest families.
Will.
She sighed at the thought of him attending the Jungle's soiree with Jane Porter. It broke her heart a little knowing that Will probably didn't answer his phone because he had been with Jane. She felt nothing but pangs of regret for the way she had turned him away before he left. Now their relationship had changed. And she deeply missed how they once were.
"Anya, there you are. I'd like to you to meet someone."
Adam's voice was an unwelcome diversion from her thoughts.
She blinked to get her bearings as Adam ushered her toward a thin, tall, dark figure, who stood out among the Antiques.
"Judge Frollo, this is my sister, Anya."
Frollo extended a bony, ghost white hand and bore into her with his empty gray eyes.
Anya felt the coldest chill run up her spine.
"Ah, the famous model, I presume."
Anya awkwardly smiled and nodded, playing along, as instructed, although her gut was telling her to get out and get out now.
"Nice to meet you," she managed to get out.
"The pleasure is all mine."
Anya felt the bile rise in her throat at his response.
She silently prayed this night would go by fast so she could stop breathing the same air as this man.
Down the street at the Jungle's, Pocahontas was being welcomed in and given a glass of wine by Ape. As she took a glass and gazed across the crowded room, she looked for Cassim. She saw Hercules Olympus with Meg DeVille. She saw Mrs. Norrington. She saw Jane chatting it up with Will Turner. She saw Roger and Anita Swann in a deep conversation with Eric Shipman and Po Triton. Derek Royal was in discussion with Sultan Jafar. And then she laid eyes on him. Cassism Abu introducing his son, Aladdin and Aladdin's girlfriend Angelica Teach to George and Ursula. She was just about to make herself known to him subtly when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"I thought I might run into you here," she heard the voice of her past announce himself.
She turned around and came face to face with John Rolfe. She knew when she heard that he was running for mayor that it would mean possibly running into him, but she didn't think he would be at the home of her boss and at the same event as her new paramour.
"John. What are you doing here?"
"You can't possibly be surprised to see me. The Jungles have endorsed me or didn't you hear?"
Pocahontas blushed and shook her head.
"No, I'm sorry. I didn't."
He smiled.
"This evening won't be uncomfortable for you will it?"
She smiled smugly, determined not to let him have the satisfaction of making her feel awkward in this situation.
"Not at all, John. After all, it has been almost five years."
"Has it been that long already? Haven't found anyone to replace me yet, I see?"
She rolled her eyes as Ursula called everyone to the dining room.
"I don't see you here with anyone, John."
She said as she walked off to the dining room, fighting the urge to look back to see if the look on his face as he watched her walk away. She wouldn't dare let him know that after all these years he still knew how to push her buttons.
In the dining room everyone took their seat. She was thankful that she was sitting in between Jane and George's brother Tarzan and across from Meg and Hercules. From the looks of things, John was seated at the far end of the table near George and Ursula. And Cassim.
"I'd like to thank everyone for coming tonight. George and I are thrilled to announce that Kovu has progressed nicely and will be starting our second pride here very soon with a few of our females. But don't worry. Simba's pride will still be on display occasionally," Ursula said, welcoming everyone.
"I'd also like to announce here, if you haven't already read this week's Fantasia Sun Times, that George and I are happy to give our full support to John Rolfe as candidate to be our next mayor!"
The group applauded. Pocahontas feigned support for appearance's sake.
"I know Ape is just dying to serve his salmon dish, but I have one more special announcement to make! Thanks in part to Eric Shipman and the research team led by our own Jane Porter, Pride Rock will be getting a new Gorilla troop!"
The dinner guests again applauded as Ursula gave details.
But Will couldn't hear them.
He was focused on Jane's face as she was positively glowing with excitement as Ursula described the newest additions to the zoo's diverse wildlife population. It was attractive to him that she held such a passion for her job. And new residents at the zoo meant he would get to sail again, potentially with her. And even though he was confused about his situation with Anya, he was enjoying his time with Jane.
As Ape and the rest of the Jungle's staff was serving dinner, Jane turned to Will with the biggest smile he'd ever seen.
"Isn't it wonderful, Will? A whole family of gorillas will be joining the zoo as a part of a new species survival program?"
Will smiled back.
"It is quite exciting, isn't it?"
"And to think, I'll be leading the research team."
He raised his glass to hers.
"Here's to dreams coming true, Jane," he said as they shared a private toast.
Just as Will was about to kiss her cheek, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
He turned around to see Sultan walking behind him.
"This is a splendid opportunity, is it not?" Sultan said before walking past Will to the bathroom.
Will understood what that meant.
It was their signal that Sultan would be using this trip as a ruse to smuggle in rugs.
Will made eye contact with Eric. Eric nodded. Will scanned the table looking for Aladdin. Making eye contact, Will gestured toward the direction Sultan was headed. Aladdin nodded. Soon they would make a plan.
Back at the Charming Palace, cocktail hour was still in full swing. Dinner had yet to be served. Anya prayed for someone to announce dinner quickly so she could leave.
"Well, look at this! I just got a tweet from the zoo saying that Pride Rock will soon have gorillas! Isn't that wonderful!" Mayor Hubert ambiguously announced to the crowd, clearly having been served too much wine.
No wonder Charles is the complete opposite of his uncle. Anya thought as she watched the crowd laugh at the bumbling old man and continue with their drinking and mingling.
She caught sight of Charles nodding to Frollo, who made a bee line toward Norrington, Smith and Phoebus who were in the thralls of conversation. Frollo whispered something into Norrington's ear and then Norrington motioned for his men to follow him and Frollo. Anya watched them closely as they left the main hall, down a hallway. Discreetly, she blended in to the periphery of the crowd and made sure her absence would go unnoticed. Adam was in a deep discussion with a droning Duke Charming while Marie and Sophie were gossiping with Lady Tremaine. Anya was sure she wouldn't be missed for the time being.
Quietly, she sneaked down the hallway and listened for voices. The hallway was dark but she was able to see a closed door with light emanating from underneath. Silently, she crept closer. She had found the group of men. From behind the door she listened to Frollo reveal his desire to catch Sparrow, using Esmeralda Teach.
"I think, sir, you are confused. It is Angelica Teach who is associated with Sparrow and I assure you, she is not going to help us in any way," Norrington responded.
She heard Frollo snicker evilly.
"Norrington, my dear boy, you are sadly mistaken," Frollo countered.
"Sir?" Norrington waited.
"If you had any idea about what goes on in this town you would know that Angelica Teach has been consorting with Aladdin Abu."
Phoebus watched his commander and friend get brow beaten. Phoebus of course knew the truth but he couldn't reveal his knowledge or his position would be found out. He continued to watch the exchange nervously.
From the other side of the door, Anya's ears perked up.
"And if you were really interested in capturing Sparrow, you'd know that he has been seen on Walt Street completely inebriated, mumbling words of an emerald-eyed witch. And what color eyes does Angelica Teach have, Commodore Norrington?"
"Not green, sir."
"Not green," Frollo repeated.
"But sir, that doesn't necessarily mean that Esmeralda Teach is involved with Sparrow," Anya heard Smith interject.
Inside, Phoebus saw Frollo's dead gray eyes glare at Smith, stunned by his retort.
"True, Captain Smith. True. But you know what does tell us that Sparrow is involved with the elder Teach sister? His eyes. I saw them myself. Trust me when I tell you that emerald-eyed witch has cast a spell on the poor pirate and he is positively smitten."
"What exactly are you telling us, sir?" Smith asked.
"I'm telling you how to do your job and capture the pirate once and for all. Just as he did before, Sparrow will set sail to bring back the animals and he no doubt will have stolen goods aboard. And he'll undoubtedly want to spend as much time as possible with his wretched beloved before he does."
"Meaning?" Smith asked again.
"Meaning if we follow Esmeralda, we catch Sparrow," James added, his voice displaying new found confidence.
"No you fools. Capture Esmeralda and use her to your advantage."
"Sir, with all due respect, we cannot possibly kidnap an innocent woman and use her as bait," Phoebus spoke up, disgusted by Frollo's suggestion.
The feeling was not mutual with his superior.
"And why not?" James asked.
From outside the door, Anya stifled an audible gasp.
"James, you can't be serious. That's not following the letter of the law either!" Smith said.
"If we do that, we are no better than Sparrow!"
"It's my understanding, gentlemen, that before Sparrow caught sight of this woman, she had quite the line of male suitors."
Bile rose in Anya's throat, connecting the dots in her head.
"Just what exactly are you suggesting with that statement, sir?" Smith asked, pointedly, his tone sounded as if he connected the dots just as Anya had.
"You gentlemen can't possibly believe that she is just a dancer."
"That's absurd! Esmeralda Teach has done absolutely nothing of the sort!" Smith shouted.
"There is no evidence to that theory, sir," Phoebus added.
"Then find some," Frollo eerily but calmly responded.
Before Smith and Phoebus could interject, Norrington spoke for his captains.
"You wish is my command, sir."
"What?" Smith and Phoebus said in unison.
"James, you can't be serious!" Smith said.
"Sparrow has gotten away with enough in this city and it's time he was brought to justice," James confidently stated.
"At what cost, James? At what cost?" Smith asked.
Anya couldn't listen to anymore. She knew their conversation was over and soon they would exit the room they were in. She had to make a quick escape back to the crowded room of fundraisers. Masking her disgust, Anya returned to the party.
"There you are, dear. Dinner is just about to get started," Marie greeted.
"Anya, darling, you look as if you've seen a ghost. Are you alright?" Sophie asked.
Anya nodded.
"I was feeling faint but I went to the bathroom and splashed some water on my face. I'm okay, now. Shall we find our seats?"
Anya feigned excitement for the meal as she walked toward the dining room with her grandmother and aunt, trying desperately not to think about the conversation she'd just overheard.
At the Jungle's, the meal had been finished and Ape was serving after dinner cocktails. Will uses this opportunity to pull Aladdin and Eric aside to discuss the initial plans. He excused himself from Jane and motioned for Aladdin to join him in the entry hall. Eric followed.
"I just received an urgent text from Phoebus," Eric started, "It seems the situation with Esmeralda has escalated. He'll fill us in with details later, but I say we call an emergency meeting tonight after both parties have finished."
Will nodded.
"Good thinking."
"Aladdin, do you think your dad would be willing to do some pro bono work as some extra security for Esmeralda?"
Aladdin shrugged his shoulders.
"Considering, it concerns my girlfriend's sister, it wouldn't hurt to ask. Do you think she needs it?"
Eric nodded.
"Phoebus doesn't usually notify me that quickly after a meeting. Frollo's intentions are not good at all. And we all need to be cautious."
Will thought of Anya. Knowing that Derek was using her as a spy, he thought of her having possibly overheard whatever terrible plan Frollo had concocted and he wanted to go to her in that moment. His heart ached.
"Wow. Of course. Let's find him and see what he has to say. Better if we approach him all together."
The trio headed back into the dining room, intending on finding Cassim in his seat, where they had left him, talking with Po Triton. Po was still there, sipping an after dinner brandy, but Cassim was no where to be found. Aladdin turned to Angelica, who was chatting with Anita Swann about a photo shoot for her new litter of puppies.
"Ang, did you see where my dad went?"
Angelica looked around and shook her head.
"I didn't. Maybe he - "
Before she could finish, a loud grumbling gasp could be heard from down the hall.
"That sound like Ape!" George said.
Will and Aladdin rushed toward the noise.
Down the hall, near the storage pantry where George and Ursula kept extra glasses, Ape was standing outside the pantry with his hands over his eyes. A silver tray at his feet.
"Ape, what happen?" George asked as he came up from behind Aladdin and Will as the rest of the dinner guests started to gather in the hallway to see what the commotion was about.
"They startled me, that's all, George. I wasn't expecting to see a anyone in the pantry."
Ape replied, reassuring George.
The entire group watched as Pocahontas stumbled out of the pantry, embarrassed. Her lipstick slightly smudged. Her hair slightly tangled.
Angelica had found herself next to Aladdin among the dinner guests.
"Aladdin, I think I know where your dad is," she whispered, just before Cassim followed Pocahontas out of the pantry. His shirt, wrinkled and the top button was undone.
Aladdin was getting tired of finding his dad in these types of scenarios.