Of Rainbows, Wheat Fields, and a Tin Man
Interlude: In Which We Jump Back in Time and See Cain and DG Interact
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. -- Epictetus
INTERLUDE
DG scuffed the pinching shoes off her feet, and curled one reddened foot up through the layers of skirt. She leaned in to inspect the damage as light echoed out through the open French doors onto her balcony.
So intent on her blisters was the princess, that she didn't see Cain as he strode through the doors. Keenly he glanced around the broad patio leading down into gardens, the paths lit gentle strings of literal fairy lights. The Tin Man turned to his left, easily espying the deep blue of the princess' dress peeking out from beside some sheltering bushes.
Cain grinned at the sight of her. Sitting on the ground in her fine dress, shoes off and one foot curled around to her face, brows furrowed in concentration.
"And here's the Princess, picture of grace and decorum, that I'm familiar with." He eased down beside her, smiling lightly when she looked up. Her surprise turned to ease and she smacked him with a light touch, putting her foot down and curling them under her billowing skirts once more.
"Don't startle me like that Cain!" She reprimanded him.
"Maybe you shouldn't sit out here where just anybody can sneak up on you." He said jokingly back, half serious though he knew the grounds were entirely secure.
DG rolled her eyes. "As if. Anyone who's out here, if they aren't looking for me, won't see me." She waved with one hand and the figures of couples making their way into the sheltering gardens. "All those people escaped to find some hidden romantic nook to make out in. They've other things on their minds than an runaway princess."
"Make out?" Cain questioned her turn of phrase.
DG laughed, and only blushed a little. "Yeah, you know, tonsil hockey? Hanky panky? A little gentle groping?" She grinned as Cain got it, the tips of his ears going pink. Though DG was smugly sure that his cheeks were a delicate shake of red as well.
Cain just shook his head. "DG, the things you say."
"I know, I know." She waved a hand. "But it's not as if I go around greeting diplomats and royalty with these words. It's just, it's you." Briefly she frowned as she considered what that meant. "You know what I mean. You knew me before I was all princessy like."
Cain just laughed quietly. "So aside from spying on these ball-escapees 'making out' why are you hiding out here?"
DG poked at one of her shoes with a foot. "You ever tried dancing in these things before? They hurt. And I'm no good at dancing. Add silly shoes and my night equals misery."
Cain picked up one of the delicate and high slippers. "I can see how these might not be sensible."
DG nodded. "Exactly."
"Course, I didn't know that something like uncomfortable shoes was all it took to stop you. I'm awfully glad the Witch didn't find that out. 'Specially if you've read your history books about the O.Z." Cain goaded her.
DG sighed. "Alright, shoes plus… other stuff." She waved her hand expansively. "I just, they all want Princess DG. And I'm tired of being her, just for tonight."
Cain nodded. "I kinda figured."
DG scowled half-heartedly at him. "So what, you came out here just to make me admit it?" At Cain's smug look she hit him again. "Jerk."
"Well, that and your mother was wondering where you'd gotten to. I figured I'd round you up before an alarm was raised." Cain shrugged.
DG looked back at the light and noise pouring out from the doors with a forlorn look. "Guess I'd better go back in then, huh."
"Might not be a bad idea."
DG sighed dramatically and pulled herself up easily, shaking out her long skirts and brushing dust off. Cain stood too. "Can you tell I've been sitting on the ground?" She queried as she spun for him, asking him to examine if there was dust on the backside of her dress.
The Tin Man, caught off guard by the somehow intimate question, just admired the woman in front of him before responding. "Nope fine. Ready to go."
"Good. I'll just take those and I'll be good to go." DG wrinkled her nose as she reached for the shoes that Cain had picked up.
"Tell you what," Cain held the shoes out reach of the shorter princess. "How about we leave these out here, and you practice just being you. A princess who really doesn't like uncomfortable shoes? I'll dance with you and I promise I won't step on those hurting toes."
DG beamed at him.
Cain quickly tucked the pretty, painful shoes into the pots the bushes were planted in, before bowing easily for the Princess to lead the way, bare toes peaking out from her midnight blue skirts.
END INTERLUDE
AN: I know it's short, but there's certain spots that are appropriate for chapter breaks. This is one of 'em. Stay tuned! Please see chapter 1 for my big long introduction to the story plus disclaimer. Feel free to review if you have any more questions! Thanks to everyone who's already reviewed, you keep this going!