Hey guys! Sorry for the delay in this piece and some of my other ones as well. I started co-writing a Mythology original story called The Forgotten Deity with my friend PrimaryIan210. It's on his account so if you guys are into Mythology, original character, and in almost the same exact writing style as this one, check it out!

It had been weeks since the auditions for the play and from what I can tell, everything was been going smoothly for everyone involved. My nightly schedule slowly shifted itself into including the after school rehearsals that Miss. Janeth was certain I was to never miss. Even Claire and I's training was adjusted so that we would run over lines while we took our breaks in between certain drills. It had become rather calm for all of us.

A little too calm as you asked me.

But as our class stood in front of the museum, I felt myself yawn as Mr. Strickler stood beside the head of the museum showcases. I looked over to the rest of my classmates to see a lot of them were feeling the same way. One of them was even about to fall over from boredom.

"Now, today we are having construction on the one side so please stay away from the large curtains and don't mind the noises behind it. We're setting it up for a new exhibit and we have plenty of people helping us get ready for it." The woman gave us a wide smile as she finished her statement.

"Thank you, Ms. Nomura."

I stared at the small woman with wide eyes before I retracted myself from the expression.

No, it couldn't be. There was no way it was the same woman.

She only gave Strickler a nod before keeping her hands before her above her waist as my mind switched her appearance before me with the tall purple and black haired changling from my memories.

Oh great Deya, it is.

I ran through the forest at high speeds as I kept my father's sword still against my side. I ducked into a cave that I had found not too far away from where I was running and tried to steady my breath as I waited silently. Soon after, the sound of a whistle came through from right outside of the cave. I pushed myself up against the wall, trying to make the dark leather armor I had on match the dark patches within the cave itself. I held my breath as I heard the whistle strong and clear.

In the Hall of the Mountain King.

Before I could even hide further in the cave, bright green eyes shined at the entry of the cave.

"Come out come out where ever you are, child." Her menacing voice echoed in the cave as I held my breath while trying to make myself shrink against the wall.

I swallowed hard as the woman smiled at Strickler and my mind instantly replaced it with the sharp smirk she would always give before pouncing onto her prey.

It is. Oh Merlin, it is.

I stood frozen still as the realization sunk in.

"Well everyone, instead of Ms. Nomura showing us around, you all will be having your own adventure around the museum. We hope you enjoy the stay at Arcadia Oak's best place for historical knowledge." I let myself be moved with the crowd as everyone made their way inside.

This is not good if she's here. Nothing is good if she's here.

I looked around to see that Claire was off already making her way upstairs with another group of girls that were barely recognizable.

"Looking around for your Juliet?" I heard a chuckle behind me and I turned around to see Toby standing there. "Why are you so jumpy dude? It's just your favorite bro!" I gave him a weak smile.

"Just a little off today."

Its nothing. I just saw the woman of my nightmares before me and I feel like vomiting out of fear.

Yeah, totally nothing.

"Then hey, let's head to the upper area and see if we can't find anything cool." I nodded my head as I followed Toby like a drone.

I need to talk to Claire before something wrong happens. She needs to know what I do.

Toby and I headed our way upstairs and started just walking around. I laughed when he made jokes and let him talk when he wanted to, but I kept to myself the majority of our walk. That was until I saw Claire standing there before a glassed dress that looked like it came straight from the Renaissance.

"Hey, there's your Juliet!" Toby whispered to me. "Go talk to her man!" I only looked at him for a second before walking off to talk to Claire.

You don't even have to tell me twice, Toby.

"Hey-" Before I could get her attention, Steve leaned over and placed his hand on the glass window beside the casing. I stood there to watch the interaction.

"Hey, Nuñez." She looked over to Steve before just looking back to the dress.

"What do you want, Steve?" I chuckled to myself as I saw how she spoke hit him right in his ego. His chest deflated as he went back to his standing position and put the hand that he was placing his weight on through his hair.

"I was just wondering what is up with you and that new kid. You two look rather close." I decided to pipe up at this point since I saw Claire shutter at the way that Steve's voice sounded.

"That's none of your business, Steve." I walked up with my hands behind my back as Claire looked over with a smile. "Can I speak to you, Claire?" She turned to give me her full attention toward me.

"Of course, Jim. Steve, if you don't mind?" I smirked as Steve looked between the two of us before walking off with a sigh. I watched him leave before I walked up to Claire so I could talk to her in a whisper.

"We might have a problem." She tilted her head at me.

"What do you mean?" I looked back and forth to see that the hallway around us was clear.

"The museum head. She's a changeling."

"Are you certain?" I grabbed out my old journal and flipped to a page that I remembered where a sketched the terrifying spy in. I handed it over to Claire to see her eyes widen at the sight. She sighed before closing the book and handing it back to me. "Can we ever get a break?" I laughed lightly at her reaction before smiling at her.

"It seems not. But it's something we can prepare for. Now that we know that she's here, we can tell that whatever they are planning is major enough for her appearance." Claire nodded as I spoke. I looked over to the dress that she was looking at that was encased. "It's beautiful."

Claire's smile beamed out of the corner of my eye as she then looked back to the dress as well. "It is. If only we had the ability to have something like that with our theater department. With how the budget is going, I'll be lucky if I do the balcony scene in a bathrobe." I laughed along with her before looking back over to her.

"I personally believe that you would do beautifully either way." I watched her smile turn to a gentle one.

"Thank you, James." My smile deepened at the use of my real name. It was a rare occurrence when she called me by it and I appreciated it when she did. It made me feel like her and the group accepted me completely and not just the person that I was within that moment. They took me in as who I was before them as well as the person I am now. It filled my heart with joy when they called me by my given name. Especially the Trollhunter, Darci, and Mary.

"You're welcome, Claire." I looked back over to the dress for a second.

"You know, I might actually have something like that in our old wardrobes from over the years." I saw in the corner of my eye that Claire looked at me with wide eyes.

"Oh no, you wouldn't." I gave her a cheeky grin before walking backward from her.

"I might just."

"Jim! Don't mess with a girl's dreams like that!" I chuckled at her.

"What if I'm not?" She only rolled her eyes at me as she started to make her way to the stairs.

"Come on, Romeo. We need to head down before the girls start wondering where we are." I smiled at the nickname before joining by her side.

"Lead the way, my lady."

"So you're saying, Master James, that Nomura is back in the area." I nodded my head as Blinky sighed as he placed down his book.

"I was rather shocked at the idea as well. The last time I saw her, I was only fourteen. I remember exactly why she was stationed out this way and it was to do with the fact that Stricklander was failing his job at tying off loose ends with me." I adjusted the duffle bag I had strapped over my chest. "What makes no sense to me is the reason why she is here. Nomura isn't normally brought in unless a job is needed to be finished and done quietly." Blinky nodded in agreement as he crossed all his arms in sets of two across his chest.

"Yes. This is rather worrisome indeed. Especially since she's apart of that museum you were speaking of. That must be where she is taking care of the job she was given."

"What could it possibly be?" I watched as Blinky used one of his many hands to rub his chin in thought.

"Well, the only thing at comes to mind is something to do with Gunmar. More than likely, to do with his release from the Darklands." I nodded my head. "But it seems too on the nose." He turned to me completely. "Our best bet if for you and the Trollhunter, as well as Ladies Darci and Mary, to go and explore the museum. There must be something they are hiding within those walls."

I placed my hand over my heart and bowed to Blinky like I would when I was a young child. "You got it, Blinky." The older troll laughed at my actions.

"Master James, you never needed to do that for me. Even when you were a mere child. I see you as my equal. Not someone that needs to be so courteous." I brought myself back up to my normal height and gave him a curious look.

"Then why do you call me 'Master James' still?" Blinky only smiled before answering me.

"Because I value you. My title for you only showcases how much I respect you as a person, James." I felt a smile appear on my face at his words.

"If it means anything, Blinky, I respect you highly as well."

"I know you do, my boy." His smile deepened as if it was naturally carved into his stone cheeks. "Now go and inform the rest of our little group about our conversation." I turned to leave before his voice broke the silence that replaced it before.

"Also, Master James, I think Claire will like what you have found for her." I looked at him in shock as I grabbed the strap of the duffle bag with my right hand.

"How did you-?"

"I have known you since you were a child, James. And even then, I didn't know completely until you just affirmed my assumptions." I sighed as I realized that I gave him exactly what he wanted. "Now go on." He shooed me off with all of his hands. I continued my way into the Hero's Forge where three different voices could be heard.

The duffle bag with the historical dress almost exactly like the one that Claire saw in the museum hitting the back of my legs as I found my way there.