We left our ladies witha meeting to attend! Thanks for the reviews, guys! You can also see this story and a picture of Veilia and Ravanna at Go to the forums section, then click the "Fan Frights and Writes" link. My name there is Masquradiainthestainglassroom.

Veilia began leading Ravanna slowly and patiently through the streets. She didn't even insist that Ravanna stopped staring. As far as she was concerned, Ravanna had every right to stare. It wasn't every day you followed the white rabbit down the rabbit hole, so to speak. She continued to look straight ahead to where the mansion hovered close to the ground. Jack and Sally were a little ways in front of them, just out of earshot in the wide-awake and bustling village.

"Jack, I don't think she's ready to accept responsibility for the Kingdom yet. She's still just a child!"

"I know that, Sally, but there's no one else who should take the throne. The power in her bloodline will control Ghost Village in the end, no matter what. It will find its way back home, even if it were against Veilia's wishes."

"But, she's a child, Jack! And she's promised Edward to marry him and have a baby! How is this going to bring the power of the royal bloodline back? Why doesn't she just wait until she's lived a bit more? Surely the counsel will allow her to stay in Living World until she's of a more decent age!"

"Sally, this isn't just about Veilia. There is another who would accept the throne."

"Ravanna's still too young too…"

"No, Sally. There is someone else who wants to be Queen. She's not very happy with Veilia's choices either, but for a different reason than you and me. You remember when I told you the rule of Ghost Kingdom was split because of a family feud?"

"Yes. You said that the two sides of the family had gotten too big, and during the last years of Veilia's grandfather's reign, there were two heirs to the throne. He separated the powers of his position in half and gave each son a share, but it caused all sorts of problems resulting in the disappearance of Veilia's uncles and her mother, Felicity, coming to the throne."

"Yes, but one of her uncles had a daughter before vanishing, but she wasn't his Queen's daughter. She hadn't been born, though, before Felicity came to the throne." He rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on, "When it was found out that Zachary had a daughter, it was decreed that if Felicity wanted to keep the throne, she needed an heir before Zachary's daughter became of age. Since it's very difficult for ghosts to have children, Felicity hatched a plan. She had been to the Living World many times and had many admirers, one in particular who loved her dearly. Alexander Grey would often visit the forest near here looking for Felicity. When she revealed who she really was to him, as well as her plan, he agreed to be the father of her heir.

When Felicity conceived, it was discovered that the child was going to be half mortal. This didn't sit well with some of the citizens of Ghost Village. A counsel was called. Most of the people on it were the once proud imperial family who had been moved out of the castle because it was decided that only the immediate royal family would be considered noble. They were already bitter about that, and Zachary's heir had been born to that side, promising them a chance to get back into power. When this happened, they said that Felicity had 'cheated' by using a mortal. They decided that, though she would have an heir, it would have to grow up with it's mortal father until it could come back to die and take it's place in the castle. And that if anything happened to Felicity, Zachary's daughter would become Queen anyway."

"So the whole thing was a trap to begin with!" Sally stared at Jack with wide, astonished eyes.

"Yes, but that's when the Holiday Counsel stepped in." he took a deep breath before continuing. "We decided that there was enough of the political conspiracy in Living World, and that the Ghost Kingdom didn't need to be subjected to it here. So we made the deal with the "un-royals" that we would transfer Felicity, leaving the throne open to the first heir who was properly married and had an heir and that the throne would be watched by a steward of sorts. We appointed Edward's father, who was once very loyal to the real royal family, as steward, who in turn left Edward as steward. That's why, currently, he is king." They were now heading up the great stone stairway that lead to the metal doors of the gothic mansion.

"So why not have Zachary's daughter take over Ghost Kingdom?" Sally asked innocently.

"You've obviously never met her. She'd be more in place in Halloween Town… in Oogie's old lair. She's not happy with Veilia's agreement to marry Edward because she doesn't have any willing suitors, and Veilia's taking the lead in this race, so she's more than a little ticked."

"She's a bad ruler, then?"

"Sally that would be an understatement if I had never heard one." Jack stated as he walked past the ghastly guards into the hallway that would lead them to the Grand Hall where they would meet in counsel.

Veilia had been quietly leading Ravanna through the streets, and Ravanna didn't mind the silence so much as the cold look on Veilia's face. Ravanna recognized it. It was the same face she had on everyday at the orphanage. The face that she used to keep everyone out and away. Ravanna couldn't figure out why Veilia was suddenly so pensive.

"Hey, Veilia? What's wrong? I know you're trying to block me out, but it's not healthy to keep everything bottled up inside. I'm sorry I followed you, but I was worried about you." Veilia suddenly looked up at her sister.

"Why do you try so hard?" She asked it as though it were totally on topic.

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you always try so hard when you're doing your shows and cuddling up to prospective parents and the teachers? Why is it so important to you to be the perfect example of what every parent wants? Is it because you thought mom and dad didn't want us? Or is it because you don't feel wanted?"

Ravanna stared at her sister. What brought this on? Ravanna thought about it. She really had felt like she was unworthy for the longest time, but pride wouldn't let her admit that. She didn't want anyone to know that she felt like no one would ever love her. "I just want to do my best, Veilia. I want to be my best at everything."

"Well, I try… I try to be the best I can too. But where as you want to be your best for you, so that you can gain for it, I try my best to help these people, and the kids at the orphanage. That's why I'm here. That's my goal, Ravanna. What's yours? Why do you try?"

Ravanna just stared at the ground. How was she supposed to reply? 'I do it because I feel alone and I don't want to be alone anymore?'

They caught up with Jack and Sally at the top of the stairs and followed them inside, Ravanna not looking anywhere and frankly just feeling annoyed that she'd even bothered following her sister, and Veilia wishing she were a spirit who could disappear into the shadows and slip away. Inside, they were both thinking the same thing. Why? Why did she follow?

Soon they were in a large hall that, at one end, had several tall backed chairs, many of which were already filled. Ravanna looked up at the crystal chandelier, it's dusty, tear shaped, tendrils prism-ing the dim light.

When she looked up, Jack and Sally were seated next to the others. She recognized several of them from stories. Mr. & Mrs. Claus, the Easter Bunny, a Leprechaun, Cupid, a Pilgrim and an Indian, and a few others.

When Veilia stopped before them and bowed, she pulled Ravanna down to do the same, but though Ravanna's body bowed, her face still stared.

Edward was seated to the left and there was a doorway with red, musty, velvet curtains tied up on either side to the right.

"Hello, again, Princess Veilia." Santa was the first to speak. "And Ravanna. A little bossy, but always generally a good girl. Welcome back."

Ravanna finally found her voice. "Santa Claus?" she squeaked. 'Is this possible? Am I awake? Am I sane?' She wanted to voice these questions, but didn't want to seem foolish.

The bearded old man let out a chuckle. "You never were one for fairy tales, Ravanna. I'm surprised you even came."

Veilia, realizing that Ravanna was very shocked, and understanding why, spoke up. "She didn't realize what was going on. She simply followed me, worried about me. Besides, as long as she's here, she might as well get used to the fact that this is where we came from."

Santa and several other figures nodded. Then a little green fairy, seated next to the Leprechaun, stood up.

"Do you plan to challenge Veilia for the crown, Ravanna?" She seemed worried about the subject.

"Titania! Now that's not very nice! She just got here! She probably doesn't even grasp what's going on! Forgive her, Ravanna. I'm Emily, from the Land of the Dead." a blue, slightly decaying woman in a bridal gown stood up and extended her right, least decayed, hand. "Nice to meet you."

Ravanna tentatively took the hand and allowed Emily to shake it. "N-nice to meet you, t-too." she whispered.

"Are you alright, dear? You look a little pale." Emily watched Ravanna with a slightly worried expression. Suddenly her eye popped out and a wormy maggot with buckteeth and red lips stuck his head out.

"Of course she's pale! I bet the fact that she's half ghost doesn't help her to get a tan." The eye landed in Ravanna's just shaken hand, and she couldn't help it, she shrieked. It wasn't loud, or long, just annoying.

Emily grabbed the eye back and placed it back in her socket. "Sorry 'bout that! Maggots…" she shrugged her shoulders.

Ravanna was shaking a little. "Veilia, if I come out of this insane, just know, I blame you for leading me here!" She took a deep breath, trying to calm down.

The outburst had caused several snickers and giggles throughout the room.

Veilia grabbed her hand. "Excuse me, counsel men and women. I would like to introduce, Princess Ravanna of the Ghost Kingdom, daughter of the late Felicity, and heir prospect to the throne." She bowed, forcing Ravanna to do the same.

"Well, back to the business at hand…" Santa picked up a scroll and began reading. "First off, the portal to the Ghost Kingdom. We have to decide where to connect it to on this side. I would say the forest between here and the Burton Orphanage was a sure bet, but it's a bit close to civilization."

The Leprechaun looked over from his place, "I motion that it be put in the mountain grove, behind the city and furthest away from being seen. There's much less chance of it being noticed up there." His hi and somewhat fitting voice tried to sound important.

Santa nodded. "Sounds like a good idea to me. I second the motion! Do we have a third?" Emily and Jack raised their hands at the same time. "All for the motion, say I."

A chorus of I's went up around the room. "It's settled, then. We'll complete the portal from Ghost Kingdom to Holiday Forest through the mountain grove behind Ghost Village."

Veilia and Ravanna remained standing in the court-like room through everything. Then finally, they came to the last two matters.

"Hmm… It seems Edward has put in a request for protection." Santa mused. "My, my, Edward! What has caused this? Is she threatening…?"

Edward stood up, shaking his head from side to side. "No, good counsel members. As King of the Ghosts, I am indebted to make three deals with whosoever helps me in anyway. Under these circumstances, a young girl made me a deal that if I gave her 5 more years of life outside of the Ghost Kingdom, that she would be the source of an heir." Gasps went up around the room at this, as well as heated murmurs. "Both sides of the deal seemed even to me, but there are other matters that need to be watched over while I'm away, securing this contract and upholding both ends."

Ravanna listened to this with mild interest, waiting until everything was over and she could leave to go to bed. It was getting fairly late! She'd be lucky to roll out of bed at noon tomorrow at this rate!

"Edward, steward of Ghost Village and the Ghost Throne, to whom was this deal made?" Santa asked, knowing the answer, but doing as protocol demanded. Sally glared and Jack stared determinedly, holding onto her arm as Edward took a deep breath for his answer, during which, the entire room decided to pause, as if the very walls were listening to find out who would deny them of their King for five years.

"My lady, Princess Veilia, daughter of Felicity, heir prospect to the Ghost Crown has made this contract."

Ravanna's eyes were very close to popping out of their sockets. She turned to her sister, who was eerily calm about all of this.

"WHAT!" Ravanna shrieked. "You said you'd have to come back, but you never told me that…" She pointed at Edward, "You're gonna be a mother to HIS child! A ghost! A Dead Guy? Why! You're so young and… alive!" Veilia tried to touch her shoulder, but was knocked away.

Edward came to Veilia's side. "You would have had to make the same decisions, Ravanna. Would you have let her endure the same things as you would have as an heiress? She made her first deal trying to keep you out of this. I'm not allowed to sway you in anyway to come here or stay here because she promised to marry me."

Ravanna's eyes lit up with anger and something much like hurt. "AHH! So that's it! Why all the mystery, Veilia? Did you think I would take all of this away from you? Did you think that maybe you had more of a right than me to make decisions about our lives? What is up with you? And here everyone thought you weren't demanding at all, but a timid little mouse! WHAT A HOAX!"

Sally's eyes had turned from an angry and accusing glare to a worried glance between the sisters. "Come on now, there's no reason to fight. You're sisters…"

"Sisters? Sisters don't lie to each other! Sister's don't keep secrets! SISTER'S LOVE EACH OTHER ENOUGH TO LET EACH OTHER IN! ESSPECIALLY WHEN THE MATTER COULD CHANGE THE COURSE OF THEIR LIVES!"

Veilia looked away. She didn't want Ravanna to see how deeply each accusation hurt. For some reason, she couldn't conger up her monotone mask. The tears in her eyes wouldn't stop forming. She was going to cry, she realized. For the first time in years, she couldn't control her crying.

Suddenly, there was drawling applause in the air. Everyone turned to the right side of the room, where, leaned against the doorframe, stood a white and silver clad ghost who reeked arrogance in his masquerade mask and peacock embroidered cloak.

"Well done, Lady Ravanna! I couldn't have said it better myself."

Cupid looked up indignantly. "What are you doing here, Doppler? This is a counsel meeting, not a ball."

He bowed mockingly to them. "Oh! DO pardon me for such an intrusion. I was passing through when I heard this young lady's most powerful speech. I simply had to see who had such a beautiful speaking voice and such strong and righteous views." He smiled winningly at Ravanna.

She didn't know what to think. With everything that was happening, her head was spinning.

With and elegant sweep of his hand, there was a chair behind Ravanna.

"Allow me, Princess," he whispered, taking her hand and leading her into the high-backed chair.

She collapsed into it like welcoming arms of a savior. She was still very angry at Veilia, but what could she possibly do about it? She didn't want to be Queen of the Spooks. She just wanted to be loved and happy like any other human girl. But she also worried about Veilia. Veilia wasn't very outspoken. She was worried that people would walk all over her, if they hadn't already. How long had Veilia been coming here? Could someone already be taking advantage of her? She looked up to see Edward and Doppler staring each other down.

'EDWARD! He could be taking advantage of my sister's innocence and quiet demeanor!'

Santa and the other counsel members discussed for about ten minutes before Jack slammed his fist on the arm of his chair, scaring the two men out of their staring contest.

"We've decided," Santa started, "to grant Edward's request for protection of the throne while he keeps his promises." Doppler looked like he was going to say something, but Sally quickly interjected.

"On to the last piece of business. Santa?" She watched him intently. She wanted to actively participate in this next part.

"Yes, thank you Sally. The last article we are to discuss is about… the crowning of the next Queen of the Ghost Kingdom. There are some debates as to whether or not Veilia is ready, and some question of… HER."

Sally stood up and looked at Veilia. "Veilia, I motion that you, and Ravanna, are too young to accept the crown and, under the circumstances that there is currently no suitable heir to accept the throne, that the contract with the late lords and ladies of Ghost Village be delayed until the heirs in question are more experienced."

Suddenly the room quieted. Most of the council was looking at Sally in shock, while others were studying Veilia.

Veilia took a deep breath, then met Sally's gaze. "I understand your concern, Mrs. Skellington, but please try to understand. For at least 5 years I've trained for this. After five more years, I believe I'll have it all down. I wish the very best for this Kingdom, for all Kingdoms, and I don't want anything to warp the peace and justice that has finally settled here. That's why I'm going to take the throne, Ma'am. That's why I can't waste time growing up right now."

Sally glared at the floor. Emily put her chin in her skeleton hand.

"If only it weren't for Sazarah." Emily whispered. The council gasped and stared at her, as she realized what she said and smack her good hand over her mouth. "I mean her! I-I meant her!"

"Now you've done it!" the maggot in her head whispered.

"Oh! Be quiet, you!"

Suddenly the room filled with purple smoke and a tinkling laugh rang through the air.

"Ah! Hello, everyone! Ooh! A party! That's funny… my invitation must've got lost in the mail!" An auburn headed girl, dressed in what was once an elegant ballroom gown before it was, apparently, burned at the edges, in some places, it was totally gone, leaving only the yellowed layers of silk beneath the crimson top layer. Her ghost heritage shown as her outline seemed more like that of a mirage, making the crimson part of her gown dance like red flames. When the smoke cleared, everyone could see that she had a long, thick lacey black fan in front of her face. She snapped it shut and glared menacingly around the room.

"That is why I wasn't aware of this little get together, right?" Her charcoal eyes stared in Veilia's direction the hardest. Then she noticed Ravanna. "Ahh! So that's what this is all about!" In a flash, she had disappeared and reappeared behind Ravanna's high-backed chair. She poked her head out. "Hello, little cousin! It's nice to meet you after, how long's it been… oh, 11 years? Did you come back to wish me well on ruling this junk heap? Don't worry, though. I have every intention of making some BIG changes, starting with the palace! We need some pest control." sarcasm oozed from her mouth like saliva and she glanced around looking at the counsel with a mocking smile.

"We've met?" Ravanna asked, staring blankly at the strange girl before her who's hair seemed to be defying gravity. It stuck out, mostly in and upward direction, curling in long tendrils at the very top, but at the base of her head it wasn't sure which way it wanted to go, and looked like it was in a frizzy frenzy trying to figure it out.

"Oh, Ravanna, sweetie! Don't you remember me? We used to play in the dungeon together!" She smiled like a cat does when it thinks it has the canary. "Good times, those."

"What part of trying to pull her in half by her hair is playing?" Veilia asked heatedly.

Sazarah just smiled patronizingly. "Oh, come on! I was just a kid! I wanted to see if she would become two different people. Most worms can do that, you know," she chuckled. She then noticed Doppler, still staring darkly at Edward.

"Hiya, Eddie! Dopey!" She smiled and wiggled her fingers in a wave. Doppler straightened and nodded his head.

"I would expect no better from you, Miss Sazarah, Lady of the Dead Catacombs and Queen of the dust mites. How unfortunate that you should feel the need to grace these halls. We planned on having dinner afterwards, but now I don't think anyone could possibly stomach it. You're very scent is enough to make a staving wild dog loose his appetite."

"Hmph! You're just upset because I wouldn't let you rule the kingdom!" She retorted, examining her nails. "But, back to the matter at hand. Miss Emily here had interrupted a very interesting decision to summon me here." She looked at Emily out of the corner of her eye. "Oh how I so LOVE the 'Speak the Name of the Devil' spell, don't you?" Emily shifted uncomfortably under the gaze.

Veilia smacked her head in annoyance at the overly flippant heiress. "Santa? You were saying?" she redirected the conversation, causing Sazarah to become angry at the loss of her audience.

She glared and crossed her arms as Santa looked back at the scroll.

"Ahem. Well, under the circumstances… I think we'd best call for the delay…"

"What delay?" Sazarah asked innocently. "Why would we need to delay anything?"

The Indian was the first to answer. "Veilia and Ravanna are too young and you have not met the requirements to become Queen. A delay is the only answer." Sally was relieved to see someone had backed her up on this.

"I'm ready! I'm totally capable! I don't need a man to sit beside me and watch me make decisions!" She pointed an accusing finger at Edward as she said this. "What good reason is there that I can't be Queen! I'm almost 40 years old, for Christ's sake! Why can't you just admit that I'm the best candidate!"

Jack pointed at her. "You've made this argument over and over and the answer is still the same. You can't be a Queen until you are at the very least able to give an heir. If that's not possible, we could end up back in this same old spot again, should you decide to transfer! End of story, Sazarah!" His hand closed into a fist and hit the arm of his chair; a sound that was very similar to a judge's hammer being thrown, signaling the verdict was final.

"And with that said," Mrs. Claus began, "I do hereby motion that the contract be delayed until we have an appropriate Queen candidate." Second's went up around the room and it was decided that the delay would become effective immediately.

"HA! I can't believe this!" Sazarah's dress began evaporating into a crimson mist which filled the entire room. "You have no idea who you're dealing with, you Holiday Clowns! I'll have the throne of Ghost Kingdom if it's the last thing I do! I swear it on my father's grave! And I'll dance over all of your graves!" With that, the mist cleared and she was gone.

Ravanna looked at Veilia with wide, haunted eyes. She looked like she'd just, pardon the expression, seen a ghost. "Can we go home now?" she asked pleadingly. "I swear I'll never follow you again. I'll never ask you to do the shows again! Just please take me back to the Orphanage!" And with that, she allowed her face to fall into her waiting hands and sobs shook her small body.

Doppler was the first to reach her. "It's alright, Princess. It's just a shock now, is all. In the morning, I'm sure you'll have a whole new outlook on things. Maybe, you'll come back to visit me?" She looked up, her red, puffy eyes meeting his dark, confident ones. She nodded quietly, not trusting her voice not to crack.

"Maybe." she whispered. He lifted her hand and kissed it gently.

" 'Twould be my honor, milady." Doppler bowed elegantly for her, causing her to blush. Suddenly he was pulled away.

"I'll have none of that, you pompous arrogant…" Edward pulled him away muttering more adverbs for Doppler's personality than I care to mention. "You stay away from her! I know what you're really after, and I won't let you take advantage of her to get it!"

"Come now, Edward! You've already got a lady on your arm. One would be so bold as to think you fancied both of them, with the way you're acting!" Doppler straightened up his cloak and mask as he continued.

"I like both of them as much as any friend would; enough to keep you far away!" Edward was so angry, he was literally turning red.

"Fine. Chivalry is not totally dead. I'll leave the lady be, for now. But she is her own person, Edward. You can't keep her locked away in a tower." He blew a kiss at Ravanna and strutted out the door with seemingly no less arrogance than when he arrived.

Soon after that, Ravanna noticed everyone was slowly filtering out of the room to go get dinner, she presumed.

'Forget dinner. I'm going home! I've had enough of this Mad Hatter's tea party!"

END CHAPPIE!

Well, it took me longer than the last one, but it's done! Wow… from a distance it sure does seem like a whole lot of nothing important. Well, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. RandR please! And I don't own NMBC or CB, so cry me a river, build me a bridge, and get over it already! (Did anyone notice all the Alice in Wonderland Cameos?) Lol