First off, I have to apologize for not updating sooner- (Phishy2 kicks herself in the shins)- but finally, I'm back with the third chapter of MSND! Yay!
Reviewers>>>>(You all rock, even staremerald! jk, buddy)
Bloc-9: Thanks! Sorry I didn't get around to this sooner...(kicks herself again)
thatpersonfromenglandunoe: I didn't make you spray ur drink everywhere, did I? JK, I got ur Christmas card! Thank you soooo much! I hope my e-card got to you!
staremerald: (sticks out tongue in staremerald's direction) Loser. I so don't have an ego problem... AND I DID NOT STEAL YOUR PENCIL!grrrrrrr... BTW, you totally DITCHED me at the library on thursday! Ok, my new best friend is... umm...this pencil! Yeah! this pencil that I didn't steal is my new best friend! Not you! Bleaaaaaaah! Jk, buddy!
Artemis 85: Thanks!
Darth Cruel: OMG. Your penname rocks the world. It's... awesome...and freakin' cool... I know! It's Frawesome! That is my new word for the day! Woot!
specialraven: Poor Kitten. I've put her in a special needs program, but nothing seems to be working...maybe it's because she's just a sad little girl...
Gilraen Luinwe: I have to warn you, if you don't agree with RobStar or BBRae... that's probably the way it's gonna turn out. But I appreciate you sticking with my story! Thanks! ;-)
Jak0TheShadows: Ummmm... not sure if that's a good huh or a bad huh... Huh.gasp Aaaah! It's contagious! Don't worry, there should be plenty of "Huh"ing opportunities for you!
Well this chapter is like, huge... most of it is just lines, though... I try to add humor to it, dunno how it turned out... anyway...
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Teen Titans or 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. The script in this chapter was taken from http/www.william-shakespeare.info/act1-script-text-midsummer-nights-dream.htm.
And now...
The moment you've ALL been waiting for...
Chapter 3 of Titans Theatre Presents: A Midsummer Night's Dream!yay!
Down in her dressing room, Raven stared at her reflection in the mirror. Just an hour before, she had looked like her normal, gothic self.
Now...
She looked...although she hated to say it, considering the fairy queenlook was totally not her thing-good. Her hair was pulled back and entwined with pale blue flowers, and she was wearing a faint silver eyeshadowthat perfectly complimented the dress she was wearing.
There was suddenly a knock on her door, and a certain green head poked in. "Raven?"
"What is it, grass-stain?"
"We're on in five... and you look great by the way."
Raven refused to let him see the blush spreading across her face...
The lights slowly faded in on a dark red curtain. There was a slight rustling sound as they were drawn back to reveal a palace scene. A tall, well built young man(Cyborg) was walking slowly across the stage arm in arm with a dark haired girl in a flowing yellow-gold gown(Bee). The pair was followed by a tall, skinny girl with bright pink hair(Jinx).
"Now, fair Hippolyta," said the man,"our nuptial hour
Draws on apace; four happy days bring in
Another moon: but, O, methinks, how slow
This old moon wanes! she lingers my desires,
Like to a step-dame or a dowager
Long withering out a young man revenue."
Beesmiled and kissed him on the cheek. Backstage, Mad Mod furiously ruffled through papers. "This wasn't in the script!" he hissed.
"Four days will quickly steep themselves in night;" said Bee,
"Four nights will quickly dream away the time;
And then the moon, like to a silver bow
New-bent in heaven, shall behold the night
Of our solemnities."
Cyborg returned her reassuring smile and tuned to face Jinx. In his best 'official' voice, he said,
"Go, Philostrate,
Stir up the Athenian youth to merriments;
Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth;
Turn melancholy forth to funerals;
The pale companion is not for our pomp."
With a curt bow and a miffed look that suggested she didn't like being addressed in this manner, Jinx left stage right.Cy turned back to Bee and dropped onto one knee.
"Hippolyta," he said,"I woo'd thee with my sword,
And won thy love, doing thee injuries;
But I will wed thee in another key,
With pomp, with triumph and with revelling."
Bee seemed to be about to say something, but she was interuppted for agroup of people, all shouting and talking at once. There was a huge man with a red beard, two younger men, both masked one, with strawberry blonde hair, one with black hair, and a pretty girl with emerald eyes and long flowing red hair, who looked as if she'd been crying. The giant man stepped forward and said,
"Happy be Theseus, our renowned duke!"
Cyborgstepped forward and cheerfully clapped the man on his back. "Thanks, good Egeus," hecried,"what's the news with thee?"
Galforethrew the group of people behind him a dirty look, and said,
"Full of vexation come I, with complaint
Against my child, my daughter Hermia. (Here, the girl looked as though she wanted to say something, but was hushed with a warning glance from the Duke.)
Stand forth, Demetrius. (Thestrawberry-blonde haired man stood forth)My noble lord,
This man hath my consent to marry her.
Stand forth, Lysander (the other man came forward): and my gracious duke,
This man hath bewitch'd the bosom of my child;
Thou, thou, Lysander, thou hast given her rhymes,
And interchanged love-tokens with my child:
Thou hast by moonlight at her window sung,
With feigning voice verses of feigning love,
And stolen the impression of her fantasy
With bracelets of thy hair, rings, gawds, conceits,
Knacks, trifles, nosegays, sweetmeats, messengers
Of strong prevailment in unharden'd youth:
With cunning hast thou filch'd my daughter's heart,
Turn'd her obedience, which is due to me,
To stubborn harshness: and, my gracious duke,
Be it so she; will not here before your grace
Consent to marry with Demetrius,
I beg the ancient privilege of Athens,
As she is mine, I may dispose of her:
Which shall be either to this gentleman
Or to her death, according to our law
Immediately provided in that case." Galforelooked amazed that he'd actually gotten that out without dying of air depletion.
Cyborgturned to Starfire, looking as though he'd like to laugh, but managing not to. He cleared his throat and addressed her sternly.
"What say you, Hermia? be advised fair maid:
To you your father should be as a god;
One that composed your beauties, yea, and one
To whom you are but as a form in wax
By him imprinted and within his power
To leave the figure or disfigure it.
Demetrius is a worthy gentleman."
"So is Ro- uh, Lysander!" retorted Starfire. Behind her, Lysander smirked at Demetrius.
"In himself he is;" reprimanded Cyborg,
"But in this kind, wanting your father's voice,
The other must be held the worthier."
"I would my father look'd but with my eyes."
Cyborg sighed. "Rather your eyes must with his judgment look."
Starfire knelt on the stone floor before Cyborg, and said,
"I do entreat your grace to pardon me.
I know not by what power I am made bold,
Nor how it may concern my modesty,
In such a presence here to plead my thoughts;
But I beseech your grace that I may know
The worst that may befall me in this case,
If I refuse to wed Demetrius."
"Either to die the death," said Cyborg,"or to abjure
For ever the society of men.
Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires;
Know of your youth, examine well your blood,
Whether, if you yield not to your father's choice,
You can endure the livery of a nun,
For aye to be in shady cloister mew'd,
To live a barren sister all your life,
Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon.
Thrice-blessed they that master so their blood,
To undergo such maiden pilgrimage;
But earthlier happy is the rose distill'd,
Than that which withering on the virgin thorn
Grows, lives and dies in single blessedness."
Starfire's face was cold as she rose slowly and whispered,
"So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord,
Ere I will my virgin patent up
Unto his lordship, whose unwished yoke
My soul consents not to give sovereignty!"
Cyborg looked heavenward, and said,
"Take time to pause; and, by the nest new moon--
The sealing-day betwixt my love and me,
For everlasting bond of fellowship--
Upon that day either prepare to die
For disobedience to your father's will,
Or else to wed Demetrius, as he would;
Or on Diana's altar to protest
For aye austerity and single life."
Speedy stepped forward, smiling disarmingly. He put his arm around her shoulder.
"Relent, sweet Hermia:"he said, and scowled at Robin,"and, Lysander, yield
Thy crazed title to my certain right."
With a look of pure hatred on his face, Robin threw Speedy's arm off Starfire.
"You have her father's love, Demetrius;" he said,
"Let me have Hermia's: do you marry him."
"Scornful Lysander! true, he hath my love," scoffed Galfore,
"And what is mine my love shall render him.
And she is mine, and all my right of her
I do estate unto Demetrius."
"I am, my lord, as well derived as he," shouted Robin angrily,
"As well possess'd; my love is more than his;
My fortunes every way as fairly rank'd,
If not with vantage, as Demetrius';
And, which is more than all these boasts can be,
I am beloved of beauteous Hermia:
Why should not I then prosecute my right?
Demetrius, I'll avouch it to his head,
Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena,
And won her soul; and she, sweet lady, dotes,
Devoutly dotes, dotes in idolatry,
Upon this spotted and inconstant man."
"I must confess that I have heard so much," shrugged Cyborg,
"And with Demetrius thought to have spoke thereof;
But, being over-full of self-affairs,
My mind did lose it. But, Demetrius, come;
And come, Egeus; you shall go with me,
I have some private schooling for you both.
For you, fair Hermia, look you arm yourself
To fit your fancies to your father's will;
Or else the law of Athens yields you up--
Which by no means we may extenuate--
To death, or to a vow of single life.
Come, my Hippolyta: what cheer, my love?
Demetrius and Egeus, go along:
I must employ you in some business
Against our nuptial and confer with you
Of something nearly that concerns yourselves."
"With duty and desire we follow you." Galfore and Speedy, both still looking daggers at Robin, followed Cy and Bee out of the court.
Starfire sat on a bench, tears streaming down her cheeks. Noticing her distress, Robin sat down beside her, and offered her a tissue.
"How now, my love!" hewhispered,"whyare your cheek so pale?
How chance the roses there do fade so fast?"
"Belike for want of rain," sobbed Starfire, "which I could well
Beteem them from the tempest of my eyes."
Robin held her in his arms tenderly. (Backstage, Mad Mod was fuming. "This is meant to be a THEATRICAL PRODUCTION," he griped, "not a hug-a-thon! Honestly, young people aren't like this in jolly old England...")
"Ay me!"criedRobin,"for aught that I could ever read,
Could ever hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth;
But, either it was different in blood,--"
"O cross!"Starfire wept,"too high to be enthrall'd too low."
"Or else misgraffed in respect of years,--"
"O spite! too old to be engaged too young."
"Or else it stood upon the choice of friends,--"
"O hell! to choose love by another's eyes."
"Or, if there were a sympathy in choice," said Robin,
"War, death, or sickness did lay siege to it,
Making it momentany as a sound,
Swift as a shadow, short as any dream;
Brief as the lightning in the collied night,
That, in a spleen, unfolds both heaven and earth,
And ere a man hath power to say 'Behold!'
The jaws of darkness do devour it up:
So quick bright things come to confusion."
"If then true lovers have been ever cross'd,
It stands as an edict in destiny:
Then let us teach our trial patience,
Because it is a customary cross,
As due to love as thoughts and dreams and sighs,
Wishes and tears, poor fancy's followers."
Robin was about to lean down and kiss Starfire on top of her head, but then he saw Mad Mod backstage, waggling a TV remote and pointing to a wall of TV's, all playing Dora the Explorer. That got him back on topic.
"A good persuasion: therefore, hear me, Hermia.
I have a widow aunt, a dowager
Of great revenue, and she hath no child:
From Athens is her house remote seven leagues;
And she respects me as her only son.
There, gentle Hermia, may I marry thee;
And to that place the sharp Athenian law
Cannot pursue us. If thou lovest me then,
Steal forth thy father's house to-morrow night;
And in the wood, a league without the town,
Where I did meet thee once with Helena,
To do observance to a morn of May,
There will I stay for thee."
Drying her tears, Starfire smiled up at him.
"My good Lysander!" she cried.
"I swear to thee, by Cupid's strongest bow,
By his best arrow with the golden head,
By the simplicity of Venus' doves,
By that which knitteth souls and prospers loves,
And by that fire which burn'd the Carthage queen,
When the false Troyan under sail was seen,
By all the vows that ever men have broke,
In number more than ever women spoke,
In that same place thou hast appointed me,
To-morrow truly will I meet with thee."
"Keep promise, love." At the sound of approaching footsteps, he turned."Look, here comes Helena."
A diminuitive girl, with long blonde hair and blue eyes came onto the stage. She would have been beautiful, if her hair had not been tousled and her eyes red from tears.
Standing to embrace her friend, Starfire said,
"God speed fair Helena! whither away?"
"Call you me fair?" Terra scoffed."That fair again unsay.
Demetrius loves your fair: O happy fair!
Your eyes are lode-stars; and your tongue's sweet air
More tuneable than lark to shepherd's ear,
When wheat is green, when hawthorn buds appear.
Sickness is catching: O, were favour so,
Yours would I catch, fair Hermia, ere I go;
My ear should catch your voice, my eye your eye,
My tongue should catch your tongue's sweet melody.
Were the world mine, Demetrius being bated,
The rest I'd give to be to you translated.
O, teach me how you look, and with what art
You sway the motion of Demetrius' heart."
"I frown upon him, yet he loves me still."
"O that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill!"
"I give him curses, yet he gives me love."
"O that my prayers could such affection move!"
"The more I hate, the more he follows me."
"The more I love, the more he hateth me."
"His folly, Helena, is no fault of mine."
"None," retorted Terra,"but your beauty: would that fault were mine!"
Starfire patted her back reassuringly.
"Take comfort: he no more shall see my face;
Lysander and myself will fly this place.
Before the time I did Lysander see,
Seem'd Athens as a paradise to me:
O, then, what graces in my love do dwell,
That he hath turn'd a heaven unto a hell!"
"Helen," said Robin,"to you our minds we will unfold:
To-morrow night, when Phoebe doth behold
Her silver visage in the watery glass,
Decking with liquid pearl the bladed grass,
A time that lovers' flights doth still conceal,
Through Athens' gates have we devised to steal."
"And in the wood," continued Starfire,"where often you and I
Upon faint primrose-beds were wont to lie,
Emptying our bosoms of their counsel sweet,
There my Lysander and myself shall meet;
And thence from Athens turn away our eyes,
To seek new friends and stranger companies.
Farewell, sweet playfellow: pray thou for us;
And good luck grant thee thy Demetrius!
Keep word, Lysander: we must starve our sight
From lovers' food till morrow deep midnight."
"I will," smiledRobin,"my Hermia."
Giving him a final peck on the cheek, Starfire ran from the room. Robin turned back to Terra.
"Helena, adieu:
As you on him, Demetrius dote on you!"
So saying, he followed Hermia out the door and left Terra by herself. Sighing deeply, she plopped down onto the bench.
"How happy some o'er other some can be!" she moaned.
"Through Athens I am thought as fair as she.
But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so;
He will not know what all but he do know:
And as he errs, doting on Hermia's eyes,
So I, admiring of his qualities:
Things base and vile, folding no quantity,
Love can transpose to form and dignity:
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind;
And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind:
Nor hath Love's mind of any judgement taste;
Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste:
And therefore is Love said to be a child,
Because in choice he is so oft beguiled.
As waggish boys in game themselves forswear,
So the boy Love is perjured every where:
For ere Demetrius look'd on Hermia's eyne,
He hail'd down oaths that he was only mine;
And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt,
So he dissolved, and showers of oaths did melt.
I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight:
Then to the wood will he to-morrow night
Pursue her; and for this intelligence
If I have thanks, it is a dear expense:
But herein mean I to enrich my pain,
To have his sight thither... and back again!"
Grinning widely, she ran off to inform Speedy of Robin and Starfire's plans...
Please R&R!