Chapter 2 Sofia And Miranda's Contest
Sofia was thrilled to finally have some alone time with her mother Miranda. Roland had decided to take Amber on a royal visit to a neighboring kingdom to help her learn more about when a ruler had to visit other kingdoms to foster good relations. James had insisted on going with her as her knight, taking seriously his future calling. Amber was pleased because she and Sofia agreed James would make a fantastic Captain of the Guard in the future. Sofia and Amber agreed to keep in touch via a special mirror that allowed them to communicate with each other. All they had to do was call the name of the person they wanted to talk to, and she could respond so long as she had her own mirror too. Sofia suspected Amber wanted the mirror communication open in case her sister got nervous and needed Sofia's advice. Amber was normally confident in herself, but she'd gotten better at swallowing her pride and admitting to Sofia when she needed advice. Sofia was proud of her and touched her sister trusted her so much, how far they had come from the days when Amber resented her after Roland and Miranda got married!
Now though, Sofia was having alone time with her mother. They had talked over a small lunch about everything going on when Miranda suddenly let out a BURP. She clapped a hand over her mouth in shock. "Oh wow, excuse me Sofia. I have no idea where that came from". Sofia just chuckled "That was actually pretty impressive mom. It reminds me a bit of the contests we had when we lived in Dunwiddie and it was just the two of us". Miranda chuckled "I'm surprised you remember that. We really went at it too". Mother and daughter shared a laugh at how unladylike they had been. Miranda had always won too but she always insisted Sofia might surpass her one day. "How about a contest tomorrow dear? We can see if you finally surpass me. I'd do it today but we have a more free schedule tomorrow". Sofia nodded "That could work". Sofia wondered if her amulet could send her someone to give her advice on how to win but doubted it. After all, what princess would possibly participate in a burping contest?
"Oh well" she thought. "I might as well try it out". She asked the amulet to send her someone and it glowed. When it stopped, a girl a few years older than Sofia was standing there. She had long black hair and was a little taller than Sofia. The princess (for her dress clearly shouted royalty, a beautiful pink gown with a bow on her head) smiled "I wondered if I would ever be summoned by you Sofia". Sofia was confused "You remind me of someone but I can't think of who at the moment" she said. The girl introduced herself as Princess Melody "My mother Ariel told me all about you". Sofia beamed, of course! Melody's black hair aside, she clearly had Ariel's eyes, lips, nose, and face. She felt a little silly for not seeing the resemblance earlier. She felt a little nervous asking her about advice for a burping contest though. Surely Ariel's daughter didn't participate in that, a regular princess would find it crude and disgusting. Nevertheless Sofia felt comforted by Melody friendly smile (probably surpassing even Ariel's).
"I might as well trust her, at least she won't be disgusted" thought Sofia. She told Melody about the upcoming burping contest with her mother. Melody didn't seem disgusted but actually looked intrigued. When Sofia was finished she beamed. "The amulet made the right choice in sending me here Sofia" she said. Sofia was puzzled "What do you mean?". Melody then got a mischievous smirk on her face "I recently participated in a contest with my mother and won!". Sofia's mouth fell open as she listened to her new friend tell her about her and Ariel's burping contest on the beach at night, how Ariel admitted to winning contests against her sisters, how Melody had surprised herself at actually winning and making her mother proud. When Melody was done, Sofia laughed "I never would've guessed Ariel and her sisters did stuff like that" she giggled "Much less her winning at those things". Melody giggled too "Try to imagine how shocked I was when she told me. We've had several more contests since...and I've won each and every one. Though far from easily!". Sofia was impressed "So can you teach me? I used to do them when Mom and I lived in Dunwiddie but I've gotten rusty. My Mom's still as good as ever. As it stands now, she'd kick my butt". Melody reassured her she'd be glad to teach her.
Throughout the day, Melody gave demonstrations on how to burp. When to let it out, how to hold it in for letting out bigger burps ("It saves you energy for when you let out big ones later in the contest. You have to start small, then go up to regular volume, then gradually bigger ones") and how to avoid straining your throat ("Don't get into another burping contest the very next day. Mom and her sisters sometimes made that mistake and their throats hurt badly for days afterwards"). But more important than winning was to just have fun ("I haven't lost against Mom yet but I if I do, it will just make me look forward to the next contest and a chance to win. Mom says she always has a good time against me even though she doesn't win"). Sofia figured Ariel was too proud her daughter had surpassed to be upset at her finally losing a contest, something Melody admitted she always got the impression of too. Finally, the two princesses had a contest. Melody won, but Sofia had a lot of fun and was certain her own mother had never burped as loud as Melody. Sofia was therefore certain she could surpass her mother!
At the end of the day, Melody had to go back. She was disappointed and would miss Sofia and vice-versa but they promised to keep in touch. "I'm just glad I got to finally meet you Sofia. Mom's story about you when she gave you advice reminded me of myself actually. It wasn't easy being the child of two different worlds but now I wouldn't trade that part of me for anything!". Sofia was touched "I hope you helping me (even over unorthodox habits like this) makes you realize you can be a great leader someday too". Melody nodded "For sure, I guess we helped each other". The two girls hugged good-bye then each out a BURP and gave the other a thumbs up as Melody went back to her kingdom in a flash of light. Sofia sighed, now she was ready to face her mother in tomorrow's contest!
Sofia and Miranda met in one of the lower levels of the castle, specifically an underground bunker where they could be assured of privacy so no one would overhear them. Miranda smirked at Sofia. "Ready to lose?". Sofia smirked back "Not this time Mom!" she said. Miranda let out a BURP and Sofia did the same. Back and forth they went, letting out BURPS, aware this was just a warm up. After about five minutes, Miranda said "Okay, now we're taking it to the next level". Sofia smiled "I'm ready!" she said. Miranda let out a BUURRPP! This was the kind of burp that had won her victories in the past. Sofia would've been discouraged at this point, but things were different now. Now she had Melody's teachings to guide her! Sofia let out her own BUURRPP, to Miranda's shock. She stared at her daughter for a few seconds before she smiled "You've been practicing haven't you sweetie? Impressive but I still intend to win". Sofia smiled back "I didn't expect an easy win mom. We're just getting started!"
Miranda then let out a BUUURRRPPP. Sofia let out her own BUUURRRPPP. Both of them sensed the endgame was approaching. With a determined look on her face, Miranda let out her biggest one ever: BUUUUUURRRRRRPPPPPP. She then patted her stomach "Whoah, that was exhausting. I had no idea I could do one that big!". Miranda looked at her daughter "Sofia, I can't go bigger than that. If you can do one that big, it's a draw. However, if you do one bigger than that then you win". Miranda knew her daughter was capable of making this a draw. But would she be able to surpass her mother? Miranda enjoyed winning but was curious to hear what Sofia could do. Sofia drew in a breath nervously "This is it" she thought "Here's where I really put what Melody taught me to the test". True even that last burp by her mother was nowhere near Melody's level and Sofia had almost come close to matching Melody's biggest burp yesterday. But that didn't guarantee Sofia victory. Now, she had to be capable of doing it against her mother, the woman who had constantly bested her in the past. "Well, here goes nothing" she thought. Sofia drew in air and let it out: BUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPPPP!
Sofia patted her stomach in exhaustion but was proud of herself. "I did it!" she thought. That had been the same level she'd let out in an attempt to try to beat Melody. While Melody had still won (hers had been slightly bigger, though Melody reassured Sofia that she had definitely surpassed Ariel in belching). Miranda stared for a few seconds then started clapping with a large smile on her face. "Sofia, you finally did it! You surpassed me! I'm so proud!" she said as she gave her daughter a hug. Sofia giggled "I had a good teacher" she said. Miranda listened in fascination as Sofia told her about Melody and her contest against her mother Ariel. She was impressed "Who would've thought we wouldn't be the only royalty mother and daughter to do those things" she chuckled. Sofia chuckled too. "Maybe my amulet can summon them both here and we can tell them about it?". Miranda agreed, eager to meet the royal mother and daughter.
Sure enough Ariel and Melody arrived and seemed to have a good idea about what this was about. "Hello Sofia. So how did the contest go?" asked Melody, though the question seemed more rhetorical, as though Melody had a good idea who won. Ariel chuckled as Sofia and Miranda filled them in and confirmed Sofia had won. Ariel in turn explained that Melody had told her all about meeting Sofia yesterday. "Sounds like we've each been outclassed by our respective daughters" she whispered to Miranda, who nodded. "I take it you have yet to beat Melody in any rematches?" she whispered. Ariel nodded and whispered "I doubt I can. I only still do them because they're too much fun to quit. I have no hope of ever beating Melody". Miranda nodded in understanding "I don't think I can ever beat Sofia now. But I"ll still do them for the heck of it". "What are you two whispering about?" asked Sofia with a smirk. Melody raised an eyebrow and said "I think they're getting gossipy in their-" Ariel gasped "Don't you dare go there young lady!" she said in mock outrage "old age" finished Melody, Sofia nodding in agreement, followed by them laughing at their mothers' shocked expressions. "Old?" gasped Miranda. She and Ariel exchanged smirks and tackled their respective daughter, tickling them until Melody and Sofia took the old comment back.
Ariel and Melody left after a few more hours, having to return to their realm. Before they did so, all four of them let out a BURP on cue, laughing and giving a group high five. Then they each let out their own volume of a burp. Miranda let out BURP, Ariel a BUURRPP, Sofia a BUUURRRPPP, and finally Melody a BUUUURRRRPPPP, the last one being long and loud, echoing for a minute. Sofia cheered as Miranda and Ariel clapped and Melody took a small bow. "You're amazing Melody!" said Sofia. Melody giggled "I try", keep it up oh pupil of mine" she said as they fist bumped. Then she and Ariel disappeared back to their realm.
Sofia and Miranda decided to tell Roland, James, and Amber when they got back (not wanting to keep any secrets). Roland already knew about that side of Miranda because she told shortly after they were married. He was amused at her and Sofia going at it. James thought it was awesome "Coolest mom and sis ever!" and Sofia even let out a few to show James that a girl could indeed do it (he was sceptical at first, but Sofia soon impressed him). He also said Prince Hugo would probably find that side of Sofia hot, which made Sofia blush. As for Amber, the old her would have been scandalized. The Amber that had become a better person thanks to Sofia's influence (her own words, as she said to Sofia) giggled at a Queen and princess (especially her own mother and sister) doing that (and laughed herself to tears on hearing about Ariel and Melody's talent as well). While Amber would never do that herself ("It just isn't me" she said) she had no problem with Sofia and Miranda doing it and even begged them to let her watch when they did another burping contest.
