If Jaz and Abbe had thought badly of Julia N in the car, they loathed
her when they saw the tiny little huts that would undoubtedly serve as
their new homes. The ousides were bad enough. The insides
were...indescribable.(okay, so they are describable, but i needed a word to
put there) The floors were dirt and there were no windows. The only light
filtered in through the cracks in the walls.
"I hope you two get along, bacause you'll be rooming together!" Miss N. said happily. "I'll leave you to get settled, and don't you dare try and run away. I'll be back in a bit with your uniforms!" She practically skipped away with her oh so perfect hair flowing behind her. Abbe sighed and sat down against the wall. Jaz joined her, though he sat about two feet away. Abbe didn't notice. She was too worried about the people she actually cared about. Sure, Jaz was cute and she and the others tried tirelessly to make him see the light, but...he really didn't matter all that much to her.
"Soooooo," Jaz said as though completely clueless as to where to begin. Abbe looked at him rather expectantly. "I guess we're pretty much screwed." Abbe nodded. "Do you have any gum?" Abbe shook her head. "I hate you." Abbe shrugged and turned her head away. "Okay then," Jaz said. At least he had tried to start a conversation. Abbe sighed again. But then brightened. Her eyes darted around, looking at various spots on the ceiling. Jaz tried to look at what had caught her undivided attention, but nothing remotely interesting met his eye. "Ummmmm, Abbe?"
"Shhhh!" Abbe hissed glaring at him. "It is right above your head!" Jaz looked up quickly, and was surprised to see that nothing was there. He looked at the girl, now seriously doubting her sanity.
"There is nothing there!" he said firmly.
"You idiot!" she cried! "You scared it all the way ti the other side of the room!"
"What in the hell are you talking about!" Jaz shouted somewhat panicked. Again, Abbe hissed at him to be quiet, and after a second, her hand shot out and grabbed something that Jaz couldn't see. She took a bite and closed her eyes in ecstasy. She held her hand out to him.
"Want some?" she offered smiling.
"What exactly is 'it'?" he asked looking distastefully at her open, empty hand. Abbe rolled her eyes.
"It's a Pixie! Caught in the prime of its life! I already ate the gonads, but the neck is pretty good."
"You are insane!" Jaz proclaimed loudly getting up and walking to the other side of the cabin.
"I pride myself on the fact!" Abbe said very defensively while taking another imaginery bite out of the 'pixie'. Jaz shuddered. He wondered what exactly he was being forced to live with until they could be rescued.
Their uncomfortable silence was broken when they heard footsteps outside the door. a few seconds later, it flew open, and Miss N stepped insided looking as bubbly as ever.
"I have your uniforms!" she gushed. and she held up one of the most horrible things Abbe had ever seen. It was a gigantic purple bow tie. This in itself was bad enough, but whatsmore, it had big red polka dots. Both mouths fell open in revulsion. But they did not stay like that for long. Their jaws were forced closed, and yet again, they were unable to speak. Jaz glared. Abbe just looked really pissed. Either way, they walked unwillingly to revieve their bow ties, and unwillingly pinned them around their necks. Miss N smiled cruelly and left again. Once the door had clicked shut, Jaz growled and kicked the wall. He didn't wince eventhough it must have hurt. Abbe looked at him. He had gained himself a bit of respect in her eyes.
"This sucks so much!" he said angrily kicking the wall with his other foot. There was a crack, and a rather large hole appeared. He frowned in disgust at the flimsy wall, but abandoned his kicking. Abbe looked at him sympathetically. He tried without success to remove the bow tie. Even as he tugged fruitlessly on the filmy fabric, he heard a laugh. She was laughing at him! He was tempted to get up and kick the wall again, but a cool breeze from the new hole made him think better of it.
"What magic could that baton possibly have to keep these on us?" Abbe wondered aloud. Jaz shrugged unconcerned. It didn't really matter how it was stuck to him. Just the fact that it was. Damn. "I hope Cassie and ASHLEY are alright." Abbe emphasized Ashley. "That old guy seemed a bit sketchy to me."
Double Damn. He was not all that worried about Cassie. She could take care of herself he knew. But he was concerned with Ashley. No particular reason, he just knew he wouldn't sleep until he could see her all safe and sound. He hoped that was soon. But for a change, his mind steered from Ashley. He knew that Cassie believed he didn't remember the close friendship they had shared way back in first and second grade. But he did. He remembered dancing with her to All the Pretty Little Horses in music class. And he remembered how they had always sat together at lunch. And how they had constantly been assaulted with taunts because of that. They had both held out valiantly for quite awhile. But eventually they had actually begun to believe they might have cooties. Slowly, their friendship had diminished. It was sad. Maybe if they had stayed together, he would not be sitting here in this ridiculus bow tie.
The door rattled again. Two large men entered. One was bearing two instrument cases. the other a small tray of food. They dropped their stuff, and left without a word. Abbe scrambled eagerly for the tray while Jaz got his own beloved saxophone. Abbe's face fell. All there was was some sort of broth and very burned toast. Jaz peered over her shoulder at the unappetizing mass.
"Looks great," he said darkly.
"That reed you're sucking on looks more edible," Abbe agreed pushing the tray away and reaching for her own case. All the parts were quickly assembled, and Abbe played a bit of Lord of the Rings music that Cassie had taught her months ago. Cassie had a strange passion for teaching herself to play songs. Not to be outdone, Jaz played a song from Jazz band from memory. It was the only really good song they played, Jungle Boogie. Abbe glared for a second before joining in with her own part. But too many parts were missing and they soon gave up.
"Sounds like crap without the trumpets," Jaz said disappointed.
"Well the trumpets are crap anyway," Abbe replied before playing Lord of the Rings again.
"Your saxophone is bigger than mine!" Jaz said randomly. Abbe took her mouth away from her instrument.
"Wow! You're a quick one!"
"Well it's not fair!"
"Why, because you're a guy?" Abbe didn't even realise how wrong that sounded until it was out. And then her naturally sick mind went to work. She smiled.
"No," Jaz said. "Whatever, this is a really weird conversation."
"Well, your saxophone is pretty big too you know," she grinned. Jaz's mouth dropped open. Abbe laughed at his expression.
"I'm glad you noticed," Jaz said dryly. He didn't want to have these conversations with anyone but Ashley.
"I only ever notice the BIG saxophones. Have you ever noticed a small saxophone?"
"I don't think there's any such thing."
"Big saxopones are very noticable."
"You are really really weird and need help!" Jaz declared growing tense again. Weird people scared him.
"What? Are you embarrassed about the size of your saxophone?" Abbe asked sweetly.
"The size of my saxophone does not concern you! I am happy with my saxophone!" His face reddened, and his masculine pride was pricked when he realised that he had fallen right into her trap. "You're good," he said darkly admitting defeat.
"Thanks."
The door slammed open again.
"You didn't eat!" Miss N said softly. "Well I'm afraid that you won't be getting anything else until tomorrow morning. "It's time for your baths. Good hygiene is very important to me. You will bathe twice daily." Abbe could care less. But Jaz wrinkled his nose. He was all for being clean, but a bath? Twice a day? He hoped he had the option of showering instead. And that he could take off his bow tie while he did so.
No such luck. The tub was big and luxurious, but the theme of the whole bathroom was pink. Not to mention, Miss N had insisted that he put in tons of lavender scented bubbles. She had actually stood there and watched him do it! Jaz had never felt so embarrassed. And as if this was not enough, he had the strange feeling that he was being watched. Extremely skittish, Jaz quickly pulled off his clothes(save for the bow tie) and slid into the water. In a matter of seconds, he became very thankful that there were tons of bubbles. He still felt like he was being watched. He shuddered and dunked under to get his hair wet. Okay, so maybe baths weren't all that bad. He just wished it wasn't lavender! He stayed under as long as possible, not wanting to re-expose himself to that strange hunted feeling. Unfortunately, he had a strange addiction to breathing and had to come up eventually. He grabed the bar of soap gratefully. It was actually something halfway masculine. Zest. he lathered it over himself smiling stupidly at how his arms were transformed from reasonably tan to whiting blue. Then he wrinkled his nose. No he didn't like it. It made him look scrawnier than he was. And he was not scrawny. He dunked again.
Abbe finished her own bath in good time. Redressed, she left the bathroom that she had been stationed in, and stood awkwardly in the hallway not knowing what to do. Miss N walked by. She had a very triumphant smile on her face. But she frowned when she saw Abbe.
"Come you!" she growled. Abbe's upper arms was seized, and rather pointy, scarlet fingernails dug into her flesh. She winced. Miss N led her down the hallway until they stopped at a closed door that Abbe knew to be the room Jaz was bathing in. Knowing what Miss N was going to so right before she did it, Abbe let out a gasp of horror and sent up a quick prayer that Jaz was decent. NOBODY was going to see any of that except for Ashley. All the friends were determined. Thankfully, he was moderately covered. A towel was wrapped around his midriff and he was trying fruitlessly to rip off the ridiculus purple bow tie which was now drooping and waterlogged. Abbe's wasn't. She had been careful not to get any of that wet. She had no extra hair gel, and she wanted the cool little pigtails on the back of her haid to stay red and blue for as long as possible. Either way they both looked like morons. Abbe probably more so, since Jaz had the fabulous abs and good chest to his credit. Abbe couldn't resist looking. Her guilty conscience kicked in after a moment. 'Come on! I'm a living, warm blooded, hormone dominated, teenage girl!' her devil side retorted angrily. 'It's not like I'm gonna try anything!' She didn't get anymore quality viewing time. Jaz's head snapped up in surprise before he looked guiltily at Miss N.
"Why would you want to remove thos cute little bow ties?" she giggled. her eyes darkened when Jaz scoffed at the word 'little' "Okay, fine," she said sharply. "If you so dislike that little thing, I'm sure I can find something else for you to wear. WAIT HERE!" She skipped away again. The prisoners barely had time to shoot furtive glances at one another. Then she was back. And what she was holding ws too horrible for words. Too horrible for any action of any kind. Black tights, Short, green overalls, a black and white striped shirt, pointed shoes with little bells on the ends, and an orange beret. "Put them on!" Miss N hissed.
AN: I hope that wasn't too uncomfortable for you. If it was, just remember that I had to write the stupid thing! Personally I think it was quite tasteful, but if not I am sorry. As always thanks to my one or two most loyal reviewers!
"I hope you two get along, bacause you'll be rooming together!" Miss N. said happily. "I'll leave you to get settled, and don't you dare try and run away. I'll be back in a bit with your uniforms!" She practically skipped away with her oh so perfect hair flowing behind her. Abbe sighed and sat down against the wall. Jaz joined her, though he sat about two feet away. Abbe didn't notice. She was too worried about the people she actually cared about. Sure, Jaz was cute and she and the others tried tirelessly to make him see the light, but...he really didn't matter all that much to her.
"Soooooo," Jaz said as though completely clueless as to where to begin. Abbe looked at him rather expectantly. "I guess we're pretty much screwed." Abbe nodded. "Do you have any gum?" Abbe shook her head. "I hate you." Abbe shrugged and turned her head away. "Okay then," Jaz said. At least he had tried to start a conversation. Abbe sighed again. But then brightened. Her eyes darted around, looking at various spots on the ceiling. Jaz tried to look at what had caught her undivided attention, but nothing remotely interesting met his eye. "Ummmmm, Abbe?"
"Shhhh!" Abbe hissed glaring at him. "It is right above your head!" Jaz looked up quickly, and was surprised to see that nothing was there. He looked at the girl, now seriously doubting her sanity.
"There is nothing there!" he said firmly.
"You idiot!" she cried! "You scared it all the way ti the other side of the room!"
"What in the hell are you talking about!" Jaz shouted somewhat panicked. Again, Abbe hissed at him to be quiet, and after a second, her hand shot out and grabbed something that Jaz couldn't see. She took a bite and closed her eyes in ecstasy. She held her hand out to him.
"Want some?" she offered smiling.
"What exactly is 'it'?" he asked looking distastefully at her open, empty hand. Abbe rolled her eyes.
"It's a Pixie! Caught in the prime of its life! I already ate the gonads, but the neck is pretty good."
"You are insane!" Jaz proclaimed loudly getting up and walking to the other side of the cabin.
"I pride myself on the fact!" Abbe said very defensively while taking another imaginery bite out of the 'pixie'. Jaz shuddered. He wondered what exactly he was being forced to live with until they could be rescued.
Their uncomfortable silence was broken when they heard footsteps outside the door. a few seconds later, it flew open, and Miss N stepped insided looking as bubbly as ever.
"I have your uniforms!" she gushed. and she held up one of the most horrible things Abbe had ever seen. It was a gigantic purple bow tie. This in itself was bad enough, but whatsmore, it had big red polka dots. Both mouths fell open in revulsion. But they did not stay like that for long. Their jaws were forced closed, and yet again, they were unable to speak. Jaz glared. Abbe just looked really pissed. Either way, they walked unwillingly to revieve their bow ties, and unwillingly pinned them around their necks. Miss N smiled cruelly and left again. Once the door had clicked shut, Jaz growled and kicked the wall. He didn't wince eventhough it must have hurt. Abbe looked at him. He had gained himself a bit of respect in her eyes.
"This sucks so much!" he said angrily kicking the wall with his other foot. There was a crack, and a rather large hole appeared. He frowned in disgust at the flimsy wall, but abandoned his kicking. Abbe looked at him sympathetically. He tried without success to remove the bow tie. Even as he tugged fruitlessly on the filmy fabric, he heard a laugh. She was laughing at him! He was tempted to get up and kick the wall again, but a cool breeze from the new hole made him think better of it.
"What magic could that baton possibly have to keep these on us?" Abbe wondered aloud. Jaz shrugged unconcerned. It didn't really matter how it was stuck to him. Just the fact that it was. Damn. "I hope Cassie and ASHLEY are alright." Abbe emphasized Ashley. "That old guy seemed a bit sketchy to me."
Double Damn. He was not all that worried about Cassie. She could take care of herself he knew. But he was concerned with Ashley. No particular reason, he just knew he wouldn't sleep until he could see her all safe and sound. He hoped that was soon. But for a change, his mind steered from Ashley. He knew that Cassie believed he didn't remember the close friendship they had shared way back in first and second grade. But he did. He remembered dancing with her to All the Pretty Little Horses in music class. And he remembered how they had always sat together at lunch. And how they had constantly been assaulted with taunts because of that. They had both held out valiantly for quite awhile. But eventually they had actually begun to believe they might have cooties. Slowly, their friendship had diminished. It was sad. Maybe if they had stayed together, he would not be sitting here in this ridiculus bow tie.
The door rattled again. Two large men entered. One was bearing two instrument cases. the other a small tray of food. They dropped their stuff, and left without a word. Abbe scrambled eagerly for the tray while Jaz got his own beloved saxophone. Abbe's face fell. All there was was some sort of broth and very burned toast. Jaz peered over her shoulder at the unappetizing mass.
"Looks great," he said darkly.
"That reed you're sucking on looks more edible," Abbe agreed pushing the tray away and reaching for her own case. All the parts were quickly assembled, and Abbe played a bit of Lord of the Rings music that Cassie had taught her months ago. Cassie had a strange passion for teaching herself to play songs. Not to be outdone, Jaz played a song from Jazz band from memory. It was the only really good song they played, Jungle Boogie. Abbe glared for a second before joining in with her own part. But too many parts were missing and they soon gave up.
"Sounds like crap without the trumpets," Jaz said disappointed.
"Well the trumpets are crap anyway," Abbe replied before playing Lord of the Rings again.
"Your saxophone is bigger than mine!" Jaz said randomly. Abbe took her mouth away from her instrument.
"Wow! You're a quick one!"
"Well it's not fair!"
"Why, because you're a guy?" Abbe didn't even realise how wrong that sounded until it was out. And then her naturally sick mind went to work. She smiled.
"No," Jaz said. "Whatever, this is a really weird conversation."
"Well, your saxophone is pretty big too you know," she grinned. Jaz's mouth dropped open. Abbe laughed at his expression.
"I'm glad you noticed," Jaz said dryly. He didn't want to have these conversations with anyone but Ashley.
"I only ever notice the BIG saxophones. Have you ever noticed a small saxophone?"
"I don't think there's any such thing."
"Big saxopones are very noticable."
"You are really really weird and need help!" Jaz declared growing tense again. Weird people scared him.
"What? Are you embarrassed about the size of your saxophone?" Abbe asked sweetly.
"The size of my saxophone does not concern you! I am happy with my saxophone!" His face reddened, and his masculine pride was pricked when he realised that he had fallen right into her trap. "You're good," he said darkly admitting defeat.
"Thanks."
The door slammed open again.
"You didn't eat!" Miss N said softly. "Well I'm afraid that you won't be getting anything else until tomorrow morning. "It's time for your baths. Good hygiene is very important to me. You will bathe twice daily." Abbe could care less. But Jaz wrinkled his nose. He was all for being clean, but a bath? Twice a day? He hoped he had the option of showering instead. And that he could take off his bow tie while he did so.
No such luck. The tub was big and luxurious, but the theme of the whole bathroom was pink. Not to mention, Miss N had insisted that he put in tons of lavender scented bubbles. She had actually stood there and watched him do it! Jaz had never felt so embarrassed. And as if this was not enough, he had the strange feeling that he was being watched. Extremely skittish, Jaz quickly pulled off his clothes(save for the bow tie) and slid into the water. In a matter of seconds, he became very thankful that there were tons of bubbles. He still felt like he was being watched. He shuddered and dunked under to get his hair wet. Okay, so maybe baths weren't all that bad. He just wished it wasn't lavender! He stayed under as long as possible, not wanting to re-expose himself to that strange hunted feeling. Unfortunately, he had a strange addiction to breathing and had to come up eventually. He grabed the bar of soap gratefully. It was actually something halfway masculine. Zest. he lathered it over himself smiling stupidly at how his arms were transformed from reasonably tan to whiting blue. Then he wrinkled his nose. No he didn't like it. It made him look scrawnier than he was. And he was not scrawny. He dunked again.
Abbe finished her own bath in good time. Redressed, she left the bathroom that she had been stationed in, and stood awkwardly in the hallway not knowing what to do. Miss N walked by. She had a very triumphant smile on her face. But she frowned when she saw Abbe.
"Come you!" she growled. Abbe's upper arms was seized, and rather pointy, scarlet fingernails dug into her flesh. She winced. Miss N led her down the hallway until they stopped at a closed door that Abbe knew to be the room Jaz was bathing in. Knowing what Miss N was going to so right before she did it, Abbe let out a gasp of horror and sent up a quick prayer that Jaz was decent. NOBODY was going to see any of that except for Ashley. All the friends were determined. Thankfully, he was moderately covered. A towel was wrapped around his midriff and he was trying fruitlessly to rip off the ridiculus purple bow tie which was now drooping and waterlogged. Abbe's wasn't. She had been careful not to get any of that wet. She had no extra hair gel, and she wanted the cool little pigtails on the back of her haid to stay red and blue for as long as possible. Either way they both looked like morons. Abbe probably more so, since Jaz had the fabulous abs and good chest to his credit. Abbe couldn't resist looking. Her guilty conscience kicked in after a moment. 'Come on! I'm a living, warm blooded, hormone dominated, teenage girl!' her devil side retorted angrily. 'It's not like I'm gonna try anything!' She didn't get anymore quality viewing time. Jaz's head snapped up in surprise before he looked guiltily at Miss N.
"Why would you want to remove thos cute little bow ties?" she giggled. her eyes darkened when Jaz scoffed at the word 'little' "Okay, fine," she said sharply. "If you so dislike that little thing, I'm sure I can find something else for you to wear. WAIT HERE!" She skipped away again. The prisoners barely had time to shoot furtive glances at one another. Then she was back. And what she was holding ws too horrible for words. Too horrible for any action of any kind. Black tights, Short, green overalls, a black and white striped shirt, pointed shoes with little bells on the ends, and an orange beret. "Put them on!" Miss N hissed.
AN: I hope that wasn't too uncomfortable for you. If it was, just remember that I had to write the stupid thing! Personally I think it was quite tasteful, but if not I am sorry. As always thanks to my one or two most loyal reviewers!