Once Upon a Time in Enchancia Chapter 32: Down Time, a sofia the first fanfic

Once Upon a Time in Enchancia

Welcome to Chapter 32 of "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia". This chapter includes a time travel trip to 1957 and the production of "Sleeping Beauty". I want to say before we get started that because I couldn't find any specific production dates in 1957 (beyond simply May of 1957), I decided to just wing it and make up a date. Please keep this in mind as you read this chapter.

Songs in this chapter: "I'm Still Here" by Vertical Horizon, and "Greensleeves" (traditional).

Chapter 32: Down Time

February 22, 1869

It was a Monday morning at Enchancia Castle. Outside of the castle, a raging winter storm was taking place. Fifteen-year-old Dorrie had witnessed the storm from her bedroom window, and was debating whether to get dressed in her Hexley Hall school uniform, or to stay at the castle and get dressed in her maid uniform. As Dorrie was deciding what to do, a knock came at her door. Dorrie, dressed in her nightgown and robe, walked to her door, opened it, and saw Violet standing there.

"Dorrie," Violet announced. "There's no school today. Hexley Hall has canceled classes for today, along with Royal Prep, Ever Realm Academy, Chivalry Hall, and the Dunwitty village schools. We just got the news by way of crystal ball messaging."

"What do you want us to do, Mom?" fifteen-year-old Candice asked as she stuck her head into Dorrie's room from her adjoining room.

"Get dressed for castle duties," Violet advised. "I'll inform Abby, Marie, and Timothy. I'll see the two of you at breakfast."

In a little while, the servants were gathered in the servants area of the castle. After they ate breakfast, Baileywick stepped forward.

"For those of you who are normally here on a weekday, you'll find your assignments posted on the assignments board," Baileywick announced, before turning to Dorrie, Candice, fifteen-year-old Abby, nine-year-old Marie, and eight-year-old Timothy. "Dorrie, Abby, and Marie - you'll be on standby duty. Just walk around the castle and take care of things you run across that need to be done."

"Yes, Mr. Baileywick," Dorrie acknowledged.

"Candice," Baileywick continued, "please go out to the stables and help Matthew with the horses."

"I'll get right on that, sir," Candice acknowledged as she left.

"Timothy," Baileywick started, "your grandfather says you may work with him in the kitchen today."

"Yes!" Timothy exclaimed in glee, always happy to work with Chef Andre.

Everybody smiled at Timothy's happiness.

"I'll be in my office if anybody needs me," Baileywick informed those in the servant's area. "With the winter storm outside, King Roland has had to cancel his appointments for today. I'll use the time to catch up on some paperwork."

With that, everybody went about their duties.

In a short while, Candice had managed to make her way out to the stables. Once inside the stables, she brushed off her coat, and found fifteen-year-old Matthew (the castle stable boy) already at work.

"Good morning, Matthew," Candice smiled. "I'll give you a hand here. Nice weather, huh?"

"Tell me about it," Matthew acknowledged. "It's a near blizzard out there. Lucky I have a good sense of the grounds, or I never would have found the stables this morning."

"I know what you mean," Candice agreed as she and Matthew got started brushing, watering, and feeding the horses.

In a little while, Candice had reached Minimus and his female horse friend, Centaria. The two horses were having a pleasant conversation as Candice walked up.

"Good morning, you two," Candice smiled at Minimus and Centaria.

"Good morning, Candice," Minimus smiled back.

"I'm glad to be in here, and not out there," Centaria commented.

"It's a fierce storm out there," Candice acknowledged.

"Take care of Centaria first," Minimus requested. "I can wait."

"Well, you're a true gentleman, Minimus," Centaria smiled. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Centaria," Minimus happily acknowledged.

As Candice saw to Centaria, the two talked to each other.

"I see you and Minimus are getting to know each other," Candice observed.

"Oh, yes," Centaria smiled. "He takes a while to get to know, but the two of us are now getting close."

"I'm glad," Candice smiled back. "Life hasn't always been easy for Minimus. Being half donkey and half horse, there have been those who have made fun of him. He tends to be cautious around those who are new."

"Yes," Centaria agreed. "But he doesn't have to be cautious around me. I like him just the way he is."

Candice smiled at Centaria's kindness toward Minimus.

"Let's say we get you brushed," Candice offered.

"Oh, I'd like that," Centaria said in delight.

Meanwhile, in the castle, the three castle cats (Creamy, Luna, and Maverick) were playfully running down a hallway when they came across a window.

"Wow!" Maverick said, amazed. "That weather is frightfully bad today."

"Cold too, by the looks of it," Luna shivered at the thought.

"At least we're in a nice warm castle," Creamy smiled.

"Is is okay for us to be running around the halls?" Luna asked Creamy, concerned.

"As long as we're not under foot, we'll be fine," Creamy assured Luna and Maverick. "I know places we can hang out where we won't be a problem."

"Then lead on, friend," Maverick smiled at Creamy.

As Creamy playfully ran down the hall, followed by Luna and Maverick, King Roland watched from a distance, and smiled. It was nice having three cats in the castle - cats that he wasn't allergic to.

In a short while, the three cats wound up in Gwen's workshop. As they walked in, Gwen looked at them, and smiled.

"Hello," Gwen happily greeted. "Come in. I have a warm fire going in the fireplace, and I'd enjoy the company as I work."

Creamy, Luna, and Maverick laid down on the floor near the fireplace, as Gwen worked on one of her inventions. It was a pleasant way to spend the morning.

Away from Enchancia, Colette was in her room in Cinnibar Castle as she looked at herself in a full length mirror as she took out her wand. Colette then pointed her wand at the mirror, and shouted "Avada Kedavra!" as the green killing curse bounced off the mirror, and hit Colette square in the chest. Colette fell to the floor, was knocked unconscious for a few seconds, then came back to life due to her now immortal state.

Colette picked herself up, and looked at a picture she had of her dead brother Donald Cosmarune as she bowed her head and began to sing.

"I found the pieces in my hand. They were always there. It just took some time for me to understand. You gave me words that I can't say. So if nothing else I'll just hold on while you drift away."

"Cause everything you wanted me to hide is everything that makes me feel alive."

"The cities grow, the rivers flow. Where you are I'll never know. But I'm still here. If you were right and I was wrong, why are you the one who's gone and I'm still here?"

"You've seen the ashes in my heart. You smile the widest when I cry inside and my insides blow apart. I try to wear another face. Just to make you proud. Just to make you put me in my place."

"But everything you wanted from me was everything that I could never be."

"The lights go out, the bridges burn. Once you're gone, you can't return. But I'm still here. Remember how you used to say. I'd be the one to run away? But I'm still here."

"Maybe tonight, it's gonna be alright. I will get better. Maybe today, it's gonna be okay. I will remember."

"I held the pieces of my soul. I was shattered. And I wanted you to come and make me whole. Then I saw you yesterday, but you didn't notice. You just smiled and walked away."

"Cause everything you wanted me to hide is everything that makes me feel alive."

"The cities grow, the rivers flow. Where you are, I'll never know. But I'm still here. If you were right and I was wrong, why are you the one who's gone. And I'm still here? The lights go out, the bridges burn. Once you're gone, you can't return. But I'm still here. Remember how you used to say I'd be the one to run away? But I'm still here. I'm still here."

As Colette gently sobbed, Scarlett and Faith walked in, as Scarlett gently put her hand on Colette's shoulder.

"Immortality can be lonely," Scarlett gently said. "However, you have me and Faith."

"We'll be here for you ... always," Faith added with a smile.

"The two of you always know the right thing to say," Colette said, grateful. "Thank you."

"Anytime, old friend," Scarlett said as she hugged Colette. "Anytime."

That afternoon

In Amber's bedroom in Enchancia Castle, a sixteen-year-old Amber was relaxing when a knock came at her door.

"Come in," Amber invited.

The door opened, and in walked Violet, Dorrie, and Candice.

"Fancy another Voyager trip, Princess Amber?" Violet asked with a smile.

"I'd love that!" Amber exclaimed in glee.

"Remember how I told you that some things from our dimension show up in the other dimension as fairy tales?" Violet asked Amber.

"Yes," Amber responded.

"Well, we're going to a place where such a thing has occurred," Violet explained. "A place where they are making a movie which will include fairy tale versions of ... Miss Flora, Miss Fauna, and Miss Merryweather."

"Wow!" Amber exclaimed, impressed.

"We're going there to give the movie makers a nudge in the right direction, as it were," Dorrie winked. "You know what a movie is?"

"Oh, yes," Amber smiled. "Candice used her Omni to take me to see some. Quite enjoyable. I especially enjoyed Casablanca, The Quiet Man, Lady and the Tramp, National Velvet, and The Rescuers."

"Ah!" Violet exclaimed, impressed, while looking at Candice. "Schooled Princess Amber on the classics, did we?"

"Busted," Candice grinned.

"I just thought of something," Dorrie said to Violet. "Will Candice and I have to change our appearance? After all, what if we come across Walt Disney? He'd recognize Candice and I from when we helped him, his mother, and sister recover from the Spanish flu in 1918."

"Where we're going, we won't have to worry about running into Walt Disney," Violet reassured Dorrie. "He will be occupied with Disneyland, and as a result, won't be attending meetings connected to the movie."

"Well, one less thing to worry about," Candice smiled as she brought out her wand. "Time for a change of clothing."

Candice pointed her wand at Violet, Dorrie, and Amber. In a few moments, the clothing the three were wearing changed into 1950s clothing. Candice then waved her wand over her head, and Candice's clothing changed into 1950s clothing as well.

"We're going to the 1950s," Amber happily noticed. "I know Candice loves that time period."

"Oh, yes," Candice grinned in approval.

"We've best be off," Violet instructed as she, Dorrie, and Candice brought out their Omnis, and adjusted the dials. As Amber took hold of Candice's arm, Candice, Violet, and Dorrie each pushed a button on their Omnis, and disappeared into thin air.

April 17, 1957

It was a sunny Wednesday morning in Burbank, California. As Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber walked along, they soon arrived at the front gate of the Walt Disney Animation Studios. The four then went up to the security guard shack at the gate.

"Yes?" a male security guard asked Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber.

"We're here to see Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston," Violet announced. "I'm Violet Cosmarune. These are my daughters, Dorrie and Candice, and our colleague, Amber Milledtion."

"Ah, yes," the security guard smiled as he looked at a clipboard. "You're the creative consultants that Mr. Thomas and Mr. Johnston requested."

The security guard then motioned the drivers of two golf carts to drive the carts over to the guard shack.

"Take these four ladies to the Sleeping Beauty project," the security guard directed the drivers. "They are seeing Mr. Thomas and Mr. Johnston."

In a short while, Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber were taken to the building where work on "Sleeping Beauty" was being carried out. Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber walked into the building, and were directed to a room where two men were working.

"Ah!" one of the men smiled. "I'm Frank Thomas, and this is my colleague, Ollie Johnston. You must be Violet Cosmarune."

"Yes," Violet smiled back. "These are my daughters, Dorrie and Candice, and our colleague, Amber Milledtion."

"It's so good to have you here," Ollie Johnston happily acknowledged. "The four of you are highly recommended, and we could use some fresh eyes for what we're working on."

"As we communicated to you, we're working on three fairies to be central characters in our movie," Frank started. "We have a lot of ideas, and we'd like to whittle those down."

"Show us what you have," Violet requested.

Frank and Ollie directed Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber over to a table where a number of sketches were displayed. As Amber looked at the sketches, she noticed that the characters in the sketches looked somewhat like Miss Flora, Miss Fauna, and Miss Merryweather in a rough sort of way. Clearly, a lot of work would have to be done to improve their appearance for the movie.

"Are those ... antennas?" Violet asked, looking at one sketch.

"Yes," Ollie answered. "It was thought that antennas in their heads would add to their magical appearance."

"Too space alien," Candice gently commented. "Too Uncle Martin."

"Uncle Martin?" Frank asked, not knowing the name.

"Oh, forgive me," Candice smiled. "A television project being worked on. It has great promise."

"I see," Frank acknowledged, as he turned to Ollie. "We've best do away with antennas."

"Done," Ollie said as he jotted down a note.

"So," Frank started, "we have one scene where the three fairies are discussing how to help the king and queen early in the film. Its a good enough scene, but something is missing."

"How about something in the background?" Dorrie suggested. "You could have one of the fairies make cookies in the shape of, say, a Mickey Mouse head."

"That's genius!" Frank exclaimed, pleased.

"I'll jot that down," Ollie acknowledged. "Meanwhile, all of us want to have the short fairy describe our film's villain, Maleficent. But, we're having a hard time coming up with the right words."

"Let me think," Candice offered. "I have it! How about old hop-toad?"

"That's perfect," Ollie smiled as he made a note of that.

"Meanwhile, there's a debate going on about what color gown our heroine, Aurora, should be wearing. Some want her gown to be pink, and others want her gown to be blue," Frank revealed.

"Blue," Amber spoke up. "Definitely blue."

"Agreed," Frank acknowledged.

"I have a further idea," Violet suggested. "You could have the fairies arguing among themselves as to what color Aurora's gown should be. Sort of an inside joke as it were."

"Oh, that's perfect," Ollie happily agreed as he made a note of that.

"Moving on," Frank continued, "we have each of the three fairies giving baby Aurora a special gift. One of the fairies gives baby Aurora the gift of beauty, while another fairy gives baby Aurora the gift of song."

"Which leaves the gift from the short fairy," Ollie added. "Any ideas?"

"I know this one!" Candice gleefully spoke up, before toning down. "I should say I'd know if I put myself in her place. I'd give baby Aurora the gift of happiness."

"I like that," Frank smiled.

Frank, Ollie, Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber continued their conversation, as Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber offered their opinions about what Miss Flora, Miss Fauna, and Miss Merryweather should actually look like. As the morning progressed, Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber had given Frank and Ollie a number of ideas. For the rest of the morning, Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber watched as Frank and Ollie sketched out a number of ideas for Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. Before long, Frank and Ollie had sketched out in perfect detail the three fairies that Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber knew so well.

Frank and Ollie drew an extra copy of a sketch of the three fairies, and Frank handed it to Violet.

"Something to remember our time together," Frank announced as he handed the sketch to Violet, as Dorrie, Candice, and Amber looked over Violet's shoulder, and smiled at the now perfect likenesses of the three fairies.

"Thank you," Violet said gratefully as she took the sketch. "We'll value this always."

After their meeting with Frank and Ollie, Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber were driven to the front gate of the Walt Disney Animation Studios. Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber then walked away from the studios. As they turned a corner, Violet brought out her silver Omni, and opened the cover. Her Omni's green light flashed on, indicating the time line was normal.

"A good job all around," Violet smiled. "Sleeping Beauty is right on track."

"Violet!" a woman's voice called out from across the street. Violet looked over to see ... Scarlett, Faith, and Colette standing there, dressed in 1950s clothing.

"Scarlett," Violet smiled as she, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber walked over. "How did you get here?"

"The old fashioned way," Scarlett smiled. "We're immortal. We waited until this date, traveled to this dimension from ours, and waited for the four of you to show up."

"But how did you know we would be here?" Dorrie asked, curious.

"Violet told us about this trip a long time ago ... a long time ago in our past, that is," Scarlett explained. "We thought we'd say hi, and take in the sights as it were."

"It will be nice spending some time with future versions of you, Faith, and Colette," Violet smiled. "At least, you're future versions to the four of us. Funny how time travel works."

"Indeed," Scarlett smiled back.

As the seven walked down the street, they had a pleasant conversation among themselves.

"So, where's your other daughter?" Violet asked Scarlett, curious.

"Skylar is back in Cinnibar, taking a turn running the kingdom," Scarlett answered. "She's immortal like me, Faith, and Colette."

"Aunt Colette?" Candice asked. "How are you holding up?"

"Me being immortal took a little while to get use to," Colette answered. "It gets easier over time. However, losing people close to you who are not immortal is still a hard thing to bare. But, one has to move on with life. It's best not to dwell on the past."

"I understand," Candice acknowledged in a sympathetic way.

"Thank you," Colette said gratefully. "The things I could tell you about your future, but ... I'll stop there. One mustn't know too much about their own future. Just know that you lead a happy, full life in your future."

Violet and Scarlett smiled at the touching exchange between Colette and Candice.

"So?" Faith asked Dorrie. "You guys teaching Amber how to be a Voyager?"

"Yes," Dorrie smiled.

"I hitched a ride with Candice a while back," Amber explained. "Not one of my shining moments. You'll find out more about that when you, Scarlett, and Skylar visit Buffalo in October of this year."

"Something to look forward to," Faith smiled.

"We take a trip to Buffalo later this year?" Scarlett asked Violet, curious.

"I'll fill you in on the details as we walk," Violet informed Scarlett as the group continued to walk.

The group had fun looking at the sights Burbank had to offer, and also enjoyed a fine lunch at a local restaurant. In a little while, it was time for Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber to return to 1869. The group gathered in an alley where they were out of public view.

Violet, Dorrie, and Candice brought out their Omnis, and adjusted the dials on their Omnis, as Amber took hold of Candice's arm.

"Safe journey," Scarlett wished Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber.

"See you out there," Violet smiled at Scarlett, Faith, and Colette.

Violet, Dorrie, and Candice each pressed a button on their Omnis, and the three along with Amber disappeared into thin air.

February 22, 1869

It was mid-afternoon at Enchancia Castle. In Miranda's study, Miranda was working on some official letters that needed to be written. Miranda stopped for a few moments to smell some pink lilies which were on a vase on her desk. As Miranda was smelling the lilies, fifteen-year-old Sofia walked in.

"It was nice of Miss Nettle to create Miranda Lilies for you, Mom," Sofia remarked with a smile.

"They smell so nice," Miranda smiled back. "I'm really quite grateful to Miss Nettle for creating them for my birthday. They are a gift that keep on giving."

"Like you are," Sofia happily said as she hugged Miranda.

As Candice walked in, she smiled at the touching scene between Miranda and Sofia.

"Candice," Miranda smiled. "What may we do for you?"

"I thought you'd like some tea, ma'am," Candice announced. "I also brought some crustless finger sandwiches, along with some scones, and macaroons."

"Thank you, Candice," Miranda acknowledged, pleased. "Please, join us."

"I don't want to be in the way, ma'am," Candice said diplomatically.

"Join us, Candice," Sofia smiled.

"Thank you," Candice accepted. "I'll serve."

Candice poured some tea for Miranda and Sofia, as Miranda selected a sandwich, and Sofia selected a macaroon. Candice then poured herself some tea, and selected a macaroon.

"Is it still snowing outside?" Miranda asked Candice.

"It started dying down about twenty minutes ago, ma'am," Candice informed Miranda. "It may be over with by nightfall."

"That's good to hear," Sofia smiled.

Meanwhile, in the castle sitting room, Roland was sitting with fifteen-year-old Lucinda, sixteen-year-old Amber, and sixteen-year-old James. The four were having a pleasant conversation when Dorrie walked in.

"Sorry," Dorrie apologized when she noticed Roland, Lucinda, Amber, and James. "I didn't realize anybody was in here. I was going to play the piano, but I'll come back later."

"Dorrie, please don't go," James smiled. "You have a true gift when it comes to playing the piano."

"We'd love to hear you play," Roland happily added.

"Your piano playing always brightens up the castle," Amber gleefully added.

"Whenever I hear you play, it always makes me happy," Lucinda smiled.

"Then I would be honored to play for all of you," Dorrie happily complied.

As Dorrie sat down at the piano, she started playing Fur Elise originally composed by Beethoven. As Dorrie played, Roland, Lucinda, Amber, and James listened in enjoyment. In a short while, Miranda, Sofia, and Candice, who heard the piano from Miranda's study, came down and listened as well. At that same moment, Fritz and Eileen, the royal singers of Enchancia, also came in and listened.

"Dorrie is so talented on the piano," Miranda whispered to Roland in praise.

"She is," Roland agreed with a smile.

Dorrie's beautiful piano music was a pleasant and relaxing way to spend the afternoon. As Dorrie played, two ghosts materialized outside of the sitting room - Queen Melinda, and Sir Dax.

"I say, Queen Melinda, Lady Dorrie is an accomplished pianist," Dax praised.

"She certainly is," Melinda smiled.

"May I have this dance, my lady?" Dax asked.

"I would be honored, kind sir," Melinda happily accepted.

As Dorrie continued to play, Dax and Melinda danced a waltz in the hallway outside the sitting room. As Dax and Melinda danced, Violet watched from down the hall, and smiled in happiness. In a short while, Dorrie finished playing Fur Elise. Those in the sitting room clapped, impressed with Dorrie's piano playing, while out in the hall, Dax bowed to Melinda and Melinda curtsied to Dax.

"Thank you, sir, for a fine dance," Melinda praised Dax.

"You are most welcome, my Queen," Dax happily responded.

"That was beautiful," Violet said in happiness as she approached.

"Lady Violet," Dax smiled as he bowed. "You honor us with your presence."

"Indeed," Melinda happily agreed. "Dorrie plays the piano beautifully."

"She's quite talented, Queen Melinda," Violet acknowledged with a smile. "Both my daughters are. Dorrie on the piano, and Candice on the fiddle."

From inside the sitting room, James looked at Candice. "Your turn, Candice."

"I couldn't," Candice diplomatically declined. "Dorrie's piano playing is so beautiful. I'd really like to hear more."

"How about this?" Dorrie started. "We could play something together. How about Greensleeves? And Fritz and Eileen could sing the lyrics."

"We'd be honored," Fritz agreed on behalf of himself and Eileen.

"Sounds good," Candice smiled. "Just let me summon my fiddle ... Fiddle Appearo."

Candice's fiddle and bow appeared in Candice's hand, as Violet walked in.

"Pardon the interruption," Violet apologized. "We have two guests who would like to join you."

Everybody looked up to see Sir Dax and Queen Melinda enter the sitting room.

"We hope you don't mind, darlings, but Queen Melinda and I would like to join you," Dax requested.

"Music in the castle is always such a wonderful thing," Melinda smiled. "Dax and I couldn't resist."

"Mom!" Amber and James smiled, pleased to see the ghost of their birth mother.

"Melinda," Roland smiled. "It's good to see you. And you, Sir Dax."

"Please, join us," Miranda invited Melinda, Dax, and Violet.

Dax and Violet stood off to the side, and Melinda stood behind Amber and James, as Dorrie and Candice started playing Greensleeves while Fritz and Eileen sang the lyrics.

"Alas, my love, you do me wrong, to cast me off discourteously. For I have loved you well and long, delighting in your company."