A/N: The moment you've all been waiting for,when Mike and Ella first meet...actually happens in the next chapter.

Thanks to Bloodylilcorpse for reviewing the last chapter.

Forgive me for any weird or off characterization. I've never written Ella, Sky or Topher before.

Enjoy!

They got a day off from doing shows to relax, although the cast was asked to go with Trent to the theater to meet some people. Some very important people.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the royal family," a herald decreed. Two girls and a boy walked in. "His Royal Highness could not be here, unfortunately."

The two girls were obviously sisters. Both had short black hair. One had pale skin, while the other had a light tan, the pale one being taller. One was wearing a pink dress, the other purple. The one in the purple looked uncomfortable in what she was wearing.

The boy was quite a bit taller than the girls, and didn't look related to them at all. He was tan, with a swoosh of dirty blonde hair that looked well-cared for. He was dressed in dark blue. He looked very...enthusiastic.

"Oh my god, you guys did amazing! Not that I couldn't, but I'm not allowed to be an actor." The boy smiled, and his white teeth shined brightly,

"Prince Topher, please control yourself," one of the guards chided.

"Sorry, it's just exciting to meet some real performers!"

"Introducing Princess Skylar and Princess Ella." The guard gestured to the two girls.

"It's just Sky." Sky tried to keep herself poised though her voice was annoyed.

"Apologies, Princess." The guard bowed.

"Oh, I'm sure he didn't mean it, Sky." Ella turned and bowed to the actors. "Your performance was so inspiring! It was a beautiful show." She smiled at all of them.

Mike couldn't help but like the vibe that Ella gave off. She sounded so carefree and happy when she spoke. He couldn't actually see her, he was on the far end of the room, but he could hear her well.

Trent decided to make introductions for everyone in the cast. He pointed out who was who, and what part they'd played. Mike was at the end of the line.

"Oh, I loved your outfit during the play!" Ella said to Dakota.

"Thank you! I see pink is also your color. Who's your stylist?"

"Oh, she's wonderful! Does everything for everyone. She knows just what works for any occasion."

"Well Zoey is the best in the kingdom, if you ask me. She made everyone's costumes. And Brick is...okay. Though I'm pretty sure he's color blind."

"I'll have to speak with her. She sounds wonderful!"

Sky moved her eyes back to Trent. "So, Trent, who wrote the play you guys performed?"

"I did, although a few others did provide some insight," Trent replied, smiling pridefully.

"Ok. I don't think it was that realistic. The girl taking charge of her four brothers? Whose idea was that?"

"Also mine. Doesn't sound like you were too impressed."

Sky shrugged. "I don't think it's relatable."

Trent changed the subject. "So, you and Ella are…?"

"Oh, we're sisters!" Ella cut in.

"Yes, yes we are. Topher's our...distant cousin. He's visiting for the festival. " Sky glanced at him.

"Please, you know I'm here for more than that, and in case you didn't realize, I'm the most talented of the three of us," Topher boasted.

"You do have many admirable talents, but I believe we all have something that make us special! Like how I sing-" Ella began.

"Oh, you're a singer?" Trent asked, smiling.

Ella nodded.

"That's a coincidence. One of our actors expressed interest in singing a few months ago, and I used to be in a band where I sang."

"Really? How wonderful!"

Trent nodded and looked around, even paced the floor till he reached the end and returned to his spot. Where was he? "How does he keep doing that?" Trent shook his head and faced Ella. "Sorry. Looks like he disappeared again." He shrugged. "Maybe you could meet him at the festival."

"Oh, that'd be lovely!" Ella was intrigued by the idea. She wondered who this actor was. "Could I possibly have his name?"

"Oh, his name is-" Trent began.

"I'm sorry, but our time is up. These three have to make an appearance with their father- or uncle- in a little while."

"I'm sure you'll meet him eventually, Princess," Trent said, bowing.

Ella curtsied back. "I hope so! He sounds wonderful."

Trent and everyone else left the theater.

"Maybe Mike should be a magician with a disappearing act. Why does he keep ditching us?" Duncan wondered out loud.

Trent shrugged before looking around the area. He spotted Mike sitting on a didn't look too good. Manitoba was sitting next to him,with a hand around his shoulders. "Mike?" Trent asked softly.

Mike looked up at him. He wiped a tear from his eye. "Sorry. I shouldn't have left like that. Seeing those two sisters together-they reminded me of when my brother was still around." He shot a quick look at Duncan before starting to cry again.

Duncan suddenly felt bad. Which he thought was stupid. It wasn't his fault that Mal or Mike's dad had gone missing in the first place, but he couldn't give Mike any consolation that they were still alive now.

Manitoba pulled Mike closer into a hug. "It's alright, little 'roo," he said soothingly.

"No, it's not alright. I don't understand how anyone could put someone through this- any of it. He's lost his immediate family, and his stepfamily treats him like nothing. He doesn't deserve this. No one does." Duncan sat next to Mike on his other side, then leaned in to whisper. "I know what I told you about Mal is hard to believe. But the stuff I told you, it happened a long time ago. Who knows, maybe he's changed." Assuming he was still alive. Mike had said he was told Mal was pretty much dead.

Mike wiped the tears off his face and pulled away from Mani, weakly smiling at Duncan. "I needed that. Thanks."

Duncan smiled back.

"Ok, guys. Mike, you look much better now. Mani and Duncan, you guys are amazing. Seriously." Trent smiled.

The three of them stood up.

"You guys can go back and chill in your rooms, okay?" Trent told everyone when they got back to the inn. "I know meeting royalty is totally crazy and awesome, but we all need our rest. Dinner's in a couple hours."

Mike lay down on his bed in the room he and Manitoba were sharing. The rom had two separate beds, a dresser and a chair. It was fairly basic.

Mani sat on his bed and took off his fedora, placing it on top of the chair, before looking at Mike. "Mate, can I ask you something?"

Mike sat up. "Sure."

"Who's Mal? I heard a bit o' what Duncan said to you on the bench. I'm a bit curious."

"He's-er, was-I don't know...my real brother."

"Ok. Just wonderin', is all." Mani put his head back on the mattress.

"Heh, right." Mike did the same. He took a deep breath and exhaled loudly before closing his eyes to try and take a nap. He felt exhausted.

My endings for these chapters are so original. Next chapter they explore some of the festival.

Please review! See y'all next Monday!