To Anonymous (you left it blank!!)--She's plain because that's how she is in the book, and I wanted to do something different--not make her gorgeous like most of the other alanna-goes-to-the-convent stories (ok, Crown?) And I like writing short chapters!!
To Devilkitti8--How exactly did I make gary sound gay?? Belive me, that was not my intent! Please point out where he acted gay! (He is very straight, thank you.) And thanks for reminding me that gary's dad is the advisor. I didn't even know Gary was cousins with jon. (see how long ago it was that I read the book!!!!!)
To Tarillyn Romita Alejandra Jacqueline Marguerite Jolissa--yeah, I'll make her meet Gary's friends as soon as enough people answer my query at the bottom of the page (hint hint).
To Chopstix*--she's not withdrawn because she's and only child (my bf is an only child and SHE'S not problemated!) She's mainly withdrawn because her father grew distant. (read chp. 2 again) And I haven't quite figured all this out yet, so.
And thank all of y'all for the encouragement!! =) (ladyluck, R, Moi, Elspeth, Raven-winged, Faithful, and anyone else I missed.)
One more note--I'm using Notepad, so it doesn't have italics, which is why a lot of things are in caps. So, sometimes it seems like they're angrier than they really are because caps makes it seem so much stronger than italics, so sorry.
------------------------------
Chapter five--
"I'm not going!" Alanna called as Gary pounded on her door. "Go away!"
"Alanna! It's an important banquet! You have to come!" Gary yelled.
"I'm not hungry!"
"So what? Come on, what's the real reason why you won't come??"
"Because I don't feel like it!"
"Alanna!"
"Alright... because I don't have anything to wear."
"What do you mean you don't have anything to wear? I'm holding the gown right now! The seamstress barely finished it in time!"
"Ugh! I am NOT going to wear that! Everyone's going to stare at me!"
"So?"
"They're all going to gawk at how beautiful my dress is but how ugly I am!"
"You're not ugly, Alanna! Now get out here!"
"I'm plain, Gary! Everyone at the convent always commented on it. 'Oh, here comes the ugly duckling.'"
"You're not ugly, Alanna. I think you'll look very nice in this dress, so come out and get it!"
"No. I mean, think about it Gary...even with face paint on, I can't even begin to compare with the other ladies."
"That's not true, Alanna. You look...you look very cute."
"You're just saying that to get me to go to the banquet!"
"Alanna...why do you even care what other people think of you?"
"Because you're SUPPOSED to care, that's why!"
"I mean, you never cared before, so why now all of a sudden, you care about how people look at you?"
"Just...because! I mean, no matter how much effort I put into it, you're still going to...oh, just forget it!"
Gary was silent for a moment, thoughtful. He could hear shuffling on the other side of the door and knew that Alanna was pacing.
"You care about how I see you?"
"Of course I care! Who else would pay any notice to me?"
"Oh, Alanna, you're not--"
"Just go away!" Alanna interuppted.
"I'll go away as soon as I know you're ready to go to the banquet."
"I told you, Gary, I'm not going to go to that stupid fancy thing."
"Alanna..." Gary warned.
"No!"
"Alanna! Come out here and get this gown right now!"
"I can't do that...I'm in my underwear right now!"
Gary sighed as he tried again to open the locked door. It wouldn't budge. He knocked on the door another time and took a deep breath before he spoke.
"Alright, fine. Even though I know you're lying, I'll leave the gown hanging on your doorknob. I trust that you will take it, wear it, and appear at the banquet. I'm going to leave now."
"So leave already!" shot back Alanna.
"I am--I'm leaving...right...now."
"Bye."
"I am walking away; yes I am."
"Why isn't your voice getting fainter?"
Grumbling, Gary left the gown hanging onto the doorknob and stomped down the hall. When his footsteps finally were too soft to be heard, Alanna unlocked her door and retrieved the gown.
She gasped. Meganne was right--the gown was brilliant. Quickly closing the door, she raced to her mirror and held the gown up to herself. After staring at her reflection for a moment, she threw the gown across the room. It remained there in a glimmering heap.
Sighing, Alanna slowly sat down on her bed. Drawing the chunk of Black Ice from her pocket, she examined it closely. There was a tiny hole through the top of it, so thin that she almost missed it. Pulling off loose string from the edge of her bedsheet, she fed it through the hole. Carefully tying the string around her neck, she felt strangely comforted when the rock settled against her skin. The crude necklace brought waves of familiarity. Hugging herself, Alanna laid down for a nap.
-----------------------------------
When Alanna awoke, she first sight she saw was Gary glaring down at her. She groggily rose.
"How'd you get in?"
"You left the door unlocked."
"What do you want?" Alanna sighed.
"Why didn't you come to banquet? And why is the gown left in a heap on the floor?"
"What time is it?"
"It's late morning. Now answer my questions."
"You already know the answers, so could I please go back to sleep?" Alanna pulled the blanket back over her head. Gary pulled it off and threw it on the floor.
"Even though I knew in my gut that you weren't going to show, I forced myself to trust you. But no, of course not, Alanna is too self-pitying to keep her word."
"I'm not self-pitying," Alanna said defensively.
"No?" Gary countered raising and eyebrow. "Well, let's think about that. Hmmm...it's more a case of no self-confidence resulting in self-pity, actually. You have no self-esteem and wallow in misery all the time."
"I do not," Alanna answered sleepily.
"I go through all this trouble," Gary continued, ignoring her comment, "to teach you to fight, I waited in the seamstress's shop for an hour, I defend you when people talk about you behind your back, and I put up with your attitude day in and day out. You could at least help me out by TRYING."
"You don't have to help me if you don't want to," Alanna snapped angrily, more alert and awake now. Gary ignored her again.
"I mean, what you said last night wasn't true--you never put up an effort. You never make an effort to try and change other people's opinion of you. You just...you just ACCEPT it. That's what's wrong. You want to be a Lady Knight and change the world? You're going to have to fight a lot of hate. You could start now by trying to be nicer to people, give them ONE LESS thing to hate about you!"
"Oh, so you hate me now??" Alanna demanded. "Everyone hates me, is that it??"
"Alanna, why are you so NASTY to people? I mean, you could at LEAST put on a smile, show up at banquets like you're expected, and pretend to be fine."
"Pretend??" Alanna answered, voice rising. "Pretend to be fine? Pretend to be happy, PRETEND that my MOTHER didn't die because of me, pretend that my father is a loving parent? That everyone adores me for me and doesn't try to rule my life? Pretend that my life is perfect??!!!" Alanna was hysterical now. "Why should I pretend to be happy for other people??? Why should I make other people happy when my entire life, no one has ever told me that they loved me? No one has ever told me I'm beautiful and smart, no one has ever said 'Wow, Alanna, you did something great today' or 'Alanna, I like you just the way you are?' Why is it that everyone else in the world has that comfort but ME, and I have to be the one to make everyone else happy??"
Gary stared at her and bit his lip. Bowing his head he exhaled slowly.
"Well, I guess that justifies your reason of low self-esteem."
"Damn right it does!" Alanna spat. Gary sighed and sat down on the bed next to her.
"But just because you've had a...rough life doesn't mean you can take it out on other people, or just give up on life altogether."
"Why not?"
"Because...you're smart. And pretty. Well, cute, anyway. Especially when you're angry. Then your cheeks get all red and it really lights up the rest of your face." Alanna laughed, a short burst and turned to look at Gary.
"Really?"
"And you learn quickly--I should know. A couple more months and I might have to watch out or else you'll beat me with the sword." Alanna smiled, and then straightened her back to look Gary in the eye, raising her eyebrows.
"Go on."
"And I can't tell you I love you, because that would be lying, but I CAN tell you that I like you just the way you are."
"You're lying."
"No, I'm not. If you were an ounce less pig-headed, if you were the slightest bit less hot-tempered, then you wouldn't be Alanna, my good friend and pupil."
"I don't know who Alanna is," she said, back slumping. "Alanna is-is...a noble lady who has a bleak future and...and..."
"Has the potential to do whatever she wants," Gary finished. Alanna sat straighter.
"You think?"
"Of course, because you're so stubborn that you could do anything...even become a Lady Knight."
"Ah, it's too late for that," Alanna answered.
"Why do you say that?" Alanna leaned closer.
"Because I'm eighteen, and I'm just starting to learn."
"See, that's the kind of thinking that caused you to be so--"
"Self-pitying?" Alanna interuppted. "You already said that." She sighed and stared at her hands. "Alright. I hear you. What do I do first?"
"Well," Gary said, standing and retrieving the gown, "first you put THIS on." Alanna stared at it.
"No. Oh, no." Gary gave her a look and Alanna reached out her arms.
"Oh, fine, I'll wear it. Then what do I do?"
"You come to the ball tonight, and you smile and chatter nicely to EVERYONE there!"
"Chatter about what?"
"Useless things like the weather. You'll dance with everyone who asks, and ask three men to dance. You will charm everyone there and be the belle of the ball."
"Oh, I can't wait," Alanna replied sarcastically. Gary grinned.
"But FIRST...you're going to meet my friends."
-----------------------------------------------------------
OMIGOD!!! I had NO intention of the chapter ending up like that!!!!! *Covers face* Alright guys, let me have it. That was SOO mushy and cheesy and cliche!!! Well Chopstix*, now you have another reason why Alanna's withdrawn: she's never been truly loved.
Ugh. I mean, I started the chapter and my hands became possessed by a demon and they typed up THIS chapter!!!! Well, it's also partially my fault--I just watched a mushy romantic comedy, so it influenced my story.
Now, to the imporant stuff:
I WILL NOT POST THE NEXT CHAPTER UNLESS YOU GUYS HELP ME OUT [because I CAN'T!!!!!!]::
Like I said, I haven't read the SOTL series for a long time, so I've forgotten all the little details. Like Jon's friends. And since that is the subject of the next chapter, I need a list of all of his friends, friendly aquaintances, and a short description of their personalities. Oh, and put in his enemies, too (just be sure to tell me that they're enemies!!). While you're at it, name anybody else I might need to know (George's friends, aquaintances, professors' names, ladies of the court....when DOES Delia come into the story anyway??)
Because this is a huge crisis!!!!!
Not to mention that this chapter was too short.
One more note: Crown and Faithful don't think that Alanna should fall in love w/George. Do you agree or disagree? If you agree, should she fall in love with Jon? Or *Gasp* Gary? Or someone else? Because I haven't thought up the romantic side of the story yet, so I want your opinion before I create it!! And, since many of you bear grudges against either Jon or George, I don't know if I'll do either. Maybe I'll just make her not fall in love and become an old maid! ;-) Just kidding!!
To Devilkitti8--How exactly did I make gary sound gay?? Belive me, that was not my intent! Please point out where he acted gay! (He is very straight, thank you.) And thanks for reminding me that gary's dad is the advisor. I didn't even know Gary was cousins with jon. (see how long ago it was that I read the book!!!!!)
To Tarillyn Romita Alejandra Jacqueline Marguerite Jolissa--yeah, I'll make her meet Gary's friends as soon as enough people answer my query at the bottom of the page (hint hint).
To Chopstix*--she's not withdrawn because she's and only child (my bf is an only child and SHE'S not problemated!) She's mainly withdrawn because her father grew distant. (read chp. 2 again) And I haven't quite figured all this out yet, so.
And thank all of y'all for the encouragement!! =) (ladyluck, R, Moi, Elspeth, Raven-winged, Faithful, and anyone else I missed.)
One more note--I'm using Notepad, so it doesn't have italics, which is why a lot of things are in caps. So, sometimes it seems like they're angrier than they really are because caps makes it seem so much stronger than italics, so sorry.
------------------------------
Chapter five--
"I'm not going!" Alanna called as Gary pounded on her door. "Go away!"
"Alanna! It's an important banquet! You have to come!" Gary yelled.
"I'm not hungry!"
"So what? Come on, what's the real reason why you won't come??"
"Because I don't feel like it!"
"Alanna!"
"Alright... because I don't have anything to wear."
"What do you mean you don't have anything to wear? I'm holding the gown right now! The seamstress barely finished it in time!"
"Ugh! I am NOT going to wear that! Everyone's going to stare at me!"
"So?"
"They're all going to gawk at how beautiful my dress is but how ugly I am!"
"You're not ugly, Alanna! Now get out here!"
"I'm plain, Gary! Everyone at the convent always commented on it. 'Oh, here comes the ugly duckling.'"
"You're not ugly, Alanna. I think you'll look very nice in this dress, so come out and get it!"
"No. I mean, think about it Gary...even with face paint on, I can't even begin to compare with the other ladies."
"That's not true, Alanna. You look...you look very cute."
"You're just saying that to get me to go to the banquet!"
"Alanna...why do you even care what other people think of you?"
"Because you're SUPPOSED to care, that's why!"
"I mean, you never cared before, so why now all of a sudden, you care about how people look at you?"
"Just...because! I mean, no matter how much effort I put into it, you're still going to...oh, just forget it!"
Gary was silent for a moment, thoughtful. He could hear shuffling on the other side of the door and knew that Alanna was pacing.
"You care about how I see you?"
"Of course I care! Who else would pay any notice to me?"
"Oh, Alanna, you're not--"
"Just go away!" Alanna interuppted.
"I'll go away as soon as I know you're ready to go to the banquet."
"I told you, Gary, I'm not going to go to that stupid fancy thing."
"Alanna..." Gary warned.
"No!"
"Alanna! Come out here and get this gown right now!"
"I can't do that...I'm in my underwear right now!"
Gary sighed as he tried again to open the locked door. It wouldn't budge. He knocked on the door another time and took a deep breath before he spoke.
"Alright, fine. Even though I know you're lying, I'll leave the gown hanging on your doorknob. I trust that you will take it, wear it, and appear at the banquet. I'm going to leave now."
"So leave already!" shot back Alanna.
"I am--I'm leaving...right...now."
"Bye."
"I am walking away; yes I am."
"Why isn't your voice getting fainter?"
Grumbling, Gary left the gown hanging onto the doorknob and stomped down the hall. When his footsteps finally were too soft to be heard, Alanna unlocked her door and retrieved the gown.
She gasped. Meganne was right--the gown was brilliant. Quickly closing the door, she raced to her mirror and held the gown up to herself. After staring at her reflection for a moment, she threw the gown across the room. It remained there in a glimmering heap.
Sighing, Alanna slowly sat down on her bed. Drawing the chunk of Black Ice from her pocket, she examined it closely. There was a tiny hole through the top of it, so thin that she almost missed it. Pulling off loose string from the edge of her bedsheet, she fed it through the hole. Carefully tying the string around her neck, she felt strangely comforted when the rock settled against her skin. The crude necklace brought waves of familiarity. Hugging herself, Alanna laid down for a nap.
-----------------------------------
When Alanna awoke, she first sight she saw was Gary glaring down at her. She groggily rose.
"How'd you get in?"
"You left the door unlocked."
"What do you want?" Alanna sighed.
"Why didn't you come to banquet? And why is the gown left in a heap on the floor?"
"What time is it?"
"It's late morning. Now answer my questions."
"You already know the answers, so could I please go back to sleep?" Alanna pulled the blanket back over her head. Gary pulled it off and threw it on the floor.
"Even though I knew in my gut that you weren't going to show, I forced myself to trust you. But no, of course not, Alanna is too self-pitying to keep her word."
"I'm not self-pitying," Alanna said defensively.
"No?" Gary countered raising and eyebrow. "Well, let's think about that. Hmmm...it's more a case of no self-confidence resulting in self-pity, actually. You have no self-esteem and wallow in misery all the time."
"I do not," Alanna answered sleepily.
"I go through all this trouble," Gary continued, ignoring her comment, "to teach you to fight, I waited in the seamstress's shop for an hour, I defend you when people talk about you behind your back, and I put up with your attitude day in and day out. You could at least help me out by TRYING."
"You don't have to help me if you don't want to," Alanna snapped angrily, more alert and awake now. Gary ignored her again.
"I mean, what you said last night wasn't true--you never put up an effort. You never make an effort to try and change other people's opinion of you. You just...you just ACCEPT it. That's what's wrong. You want to be a Lady Knight and change the world? You're going to have to fight a lot of hate. You could start now by trying to be nicer to people, give them ONE LESS thing to hate about you!"
"Oh, so you hate me now??" Alanna demanded. "Everyone hates me, is that it??"
"Alanna, why are you so NASTY to people? I mean, you could at LEAST put on a smile, show up at banquets like you're expected, and pretend to be fine."
"Pretend??" Alanna answered, voice rising. "Pretend to be fine? Pretend to be happy, PRETEND that my MOTHER didn't die because of me, pretend that my father is a loving parent? That everyone adores me for me and doesn't try to rule my life? Pretend that my life is perfect??!!!" Alanna was hysterical now. "Why should I pretend to be happy for other people??? Why should I make other people happy when my entire life, no one has ever told me that they loved me? No one has ever told me I'm beautiful and smart, no one has ever said 'Wow, Alanna, you did something great today' or 'Alanna, I like you just the way you are?' Why is it that everyone else in the world has that comfort but ME, and I have to be the one to make everyone else happy??"
Gary stared at her and bit his lip. Bowing his head he exhaled slowly.
"Well, I guess that justifies your reason of low self-esteem."
"Damn right it does!" Alanna spat. Gary sighed and sat down on the bed next to her.
"But just because you've had a...rough life doesn't mean you can take it out on other people, or just give up on life altogether."
"Why not?"
"Because...you're smart. And pretty. Well, cute, anyway. Especially when you're angry. Then your cheeks get all red and it really lights up the rest of your face." Alanna laughed, a short burst and turned to look at Gary.
"Really?"
"And you learn quickly--I should know. A couple more months and I might have to watch out or else you'll beat me with the sword." Alanna smiled, and then straightened her back to look Gary in the eye, raising her eyebrows.
"Go on."
"And I can't tell you I love you, because that would be lying, but I CAN tell you that I like you just the way you are."
"You're lying."
"No, I'm not. If you were an ounce less pig-headed, if you were the slightest bit less hot-tempered, then you wouldn't be Alanna, my good friend and pupil."
"I don't know who Alanna is," she said, back slumping. "Alanna is-is...a noble lady who has a bleak future and...and..."
"Has the potential to do whatever she wants," Gary finished. Alanna sat straighter.
"You think?"
"Of course, because you're so stubborn that you could do anything...even become a Lady Knight."
"Ah, it's too late for that," Alanna answered.
"Why do you say that?" Alanna leaned closer.
"Because I'm eighteen, and I'm just starting to learn."
"See, that's the kind of thinking that caused you to be so--"
"Self-pitying?" Alanna interuppted. "You already said that." She sighed and stared at her hands. "Alright. I hear you. What do I do first?"
"Well," Gary said, standing and retrieving the gown, "first you put THIS on." Alanna stared at it.
"No. Oh, no." Gary gave her a look and Alanna reached out her arms.
"Oh, fine, I'll wear it. Then what do I do?"
"You come to the ball tonight, and you smile and chatter nicely to EVERYONE there!"
"Chatter about what?"
"Useless things like the weather. You'll dance with everyone who asks, and ask three men to dance. You will charm everyone there and be the belle of the ball."
"Oh, I can't wait," Alanna replied sarcastically. Gary grinned.
"But FIRST...you're going to meet my friends."
-----------------------------------------------------------
OMIGOD!!! I had NO intention of the chapter ending up like that!!!!! *Covers face* Alright guys, let me have it. That was SOO mushy and cheesy and cliche!!! Well Chopstix*, now you have another reason why Alanna's withdrawn: she's never been truly loved.
Ugh. I mean, I started the chapter and my hands became possessed by a demon and they typed up THIS chapter!!!! Well, it's also partially my fault--I just watched a mushy romantic comedy, so it influenced my story.
Now, to the imporant stuff:
I WILL NOT POST THE NEXT CHAPTER UNLESS YOU GUYS HELP ME OUT [because I CAN'T!!!!!!]::
Like I said, I haven't read the SOTL series for a long time, so I've forgotten all the little details. Like Jon's friends. And since that is the subject of the next chapter, I need a list of all of his friends, friendly aquaintances, and a short description of their personalities. Oh, and put in his enemies, too (just be sure to tell me that they're enemies!!). While you're at it, name anybody else I might need to know (George's friends, aquaintances, professors' names, ladies of the court....when DOES Delia come into the story anyway??)
Because this is a huge crisis!!!!!
Not to mention that this chapter was too short.
One more note: Crown and Faithful don't think that Alanna should fall in love w/George. Do you agree or disagree? If you agree, should she fall in love with Jon? Or *Gasp* Gary? Or someone else? Because I haven't thought up the romantic side of the story yet, so I want your opinion before I create it!! And, since many of you bear grudges against either Jon or George, I don't know if I'll do either. Maybe I'll just make her not fall in love and become an old maid! ;-) Just kidding!!