Checking Up
After five utterly agonizing days of waiting for Rotbart to send her the plan, Apple completely lost her patience. While she was getting ready for the White family's royal New Year's Ball, the young princess decided that her would-be villain needed a little reminder from her,
Is it ready yet?! She texted. A few minutes later her phone buzzed:
Is what ready?
You know! The plan! Apple texted back.
Yes. Rotbart responded.
Hexcellent! Send it to me!
No, not yet.
You said you'd text me when it was ready!
I SAID I'd text you when I got a chance.
Well do you have a chance now?!
No.
But you're texting me now!
So?
So can't you just send me the plan now?!
I'm busy.
But you can't be that busy if you're texting! She pressed.
Yeah, cause you INTERRUPTED me.
Come on, please?
No.
Pretty please?
No.
Pretty please with whip cream and cherries?
Seriously?
Pretty please with bat wings and newt eyes?
That's disgusting.
Well what do you like?!
For you to shut up.
HOW DARE YOU!
Don't pull that crap with me, princess.
You're the one full of crap!
So you've said.
I ask nicely and you're a but! What's your problem?!
The problem is I'm a guest.
A what?
A guest. You know, staying at someone else's house?
I KNOW what a guest is!
Well do you spend loads of time texting as a guest? Rotbart had her there.
No. Apple admitted.
Thought not. You're not the only one who can have some class, princess.
Well you didn't have to be so rude by just saying "no" like that! Apple wrote back. After all, Rotbart could have told her about his situation.
No. But I wanted to.
WHY?!
Just because I can't kill you yet doesn't mean I can't enjoy tormenting you.
You asshole!
Language, princess.
I mean it: you're the biggest asshole ever!
Bigger than Dick Charming?
No! He's the biggest asshole in the universe!
Isn't that the same thing?
NO!
That makes no sense.
YOU don't make any sense! I thought you wanted to help me with this?!
Yes, but I have a LIFE. And it's not all about helping you. Can't you wait until after New Year's?
But school's starting soon! I need time to memorize!
It's not that hard.
But it's a master plan!
And it's masterfully planned, remember? I've got the tricky bits. You only have to do three things.
What's that?
1. Find out what lipstick Lizzie uses and buy one for me. 2. Arrange for the aphrodisiacs. 3. Make sure Holly O'Hair's nearby at the time.
Why Holly?
She's got a major thing for old Dick.
She does?!
Yep.
I didn't know that!
Surprise.
Apple suddenly felt sick. Has he been cheating with her too?!
No. For some reason, she likes you too much. Apple sighed in relief.
But why her? Apple wanted to know.
She'll be nice and loud for the big unveiling.
That's true.
Of course it is.
Poor Holly though.
Hey, you don't want her wasting her time with him, right?
Definitely not!
See, you're doing her a favor.
Yes! I'll be doing everyone a favor!
Yeah, good for you. So you know your part. Happy now?
I'd still like to know the all the details.
Soon. I promise.
OK. And I'm sorry. For interrupting your visit.
No worries.
Apple's curiosity overcame her. Who ARE you visiting? It was hard for her to imagine Rotbart having any friends. Besides Raven.
The Rat Kings. I used to be roommates with the next in line. Now Rotbart's trip to the Candy Kingdom made a lot more sense to Apple.
And what WERE you doing when I texted?
Inquisitive much?
Just wondering.
Napping, if you must know.
Napping?!
I didn't sleep well last night.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Anyway, I've gotta some Zs before the ball tonight.
That reminds me! I've got to get dressed for the ball here!
But it's not for six hours, isn't it?
That isn't NEARLY enough time to decide what to wear!
I'm going to pretend I understood that. Ttyl, princess.
Ttyl, Rotbart. Have a sweet dream!
I hope not.