I won't be going really in detail with the play because it'd be too long and I don't want it to take up too much time reading! If you haven't seen Tangled, you should defiantly watch it! Rapunzel is my favorite Princess :D I really hope that you all enjoy this chapter! I've been watching the anime again to get some more ideas for the story. And I'm making it a point to write daily so that I can post more frequently. Thank you for sticking with me! xoxo
Olivia took to the stage; she smiled at all of the children as they eagerly awaited the play. This was probably the greatest thing they'd done in a while, or ever. Their ages ranged, but they all had the same gleam in their eyes. That sparkle is what gave her the courage to do the play, to keep doing them.
She was about to speak when she saw Mimi walking a small girl up to the rest of the group. She was wearing a Rapunzel Princess dress and she held a little chameleon doll in her hands. It was Pascal, someone had made her a Pascal.
"I would like to thank you all for coming, and I truly hope you enjoy this play! It's a little different than the movie, but it's Princess approved so get ready!"
The kids smiled from ear to ear, "Mimi could you bring that little Darling to the stage? I'd like her help."
The little girl's face turned pink and she gripped her dress and plush. She carefully followed Mimi and looked at everyone. They were all smiling.
"How would you like to be a Princess? A real Princess for the day?"
The little girl smiled and nodded, "Yes. Thank you!"
Olivia smiled and picked her up, "Everyone! This is your first Princess! This is me as a child."
The girls smiled as Olivia put her crown on the little girl's head. Tamaki felt his cheeks flush, how she reacted with children was amazing. It's like she knew them at their deepest, most important parts of their hearts. It was almost like she was an orphan, maybe in her mind she was. She probably rarely got to spend time with her mother; she was a queen after all. He was lost in his own mind, picturing himself as her husband with children of their own. A soft voice cut through the dream.
"Tamaki, helloooooooo?" Olivia whispered as the little girl chuckled.
"Uh, yes. Hello?" He responded and Olivia laughed a little more.
His face went hot red, "I-I uh, yes. I'm ready."
"Good, we are on in 5 minutes. Mimi is bringing out the last of the refreshments for the kids."
Olivia stepped away and the small girl followed her. She peeked around, the whole back yard was transformed. She had a tall tower there already that was used for her clubhouse when she was little; it would serve as the actual house. There was even a small little stream that ran through the property that she put to good use. All of the scenes were set aside, the props and everything were numbered and ordered. The Lobelia girls all seemed very excited about this as well.
"Olivia, I was wondering… Could I go on as Mother Gothel?"
She turned; almost outraged that Benio would even ask. She looked at Eugene and he shrugged.
"If she knows the lines, I don't mind. I'll step in as King and Haruhi can be the Queen."
Olivia looked at Benio; she had already changed attire into a Mother Gothel styled dress. She really looked the part. Eugene could go be refitted for something more King like, his scene wasn't until the very end.
"You don't have any ill wishes or ulterior motives do you?" Olivia asked and she bowed her head.
"I wish nothing but to play the part, I've rehearsed her a lot. I think she's a fairly strong character, and she is smart."
Olivia nodded, "Fine. But one change and you get ejected. Got it?"
Benio nodded and Olivia smiled, "Good! Now let the show begin!"
Eugene walked off to go get fitted for a new set of clothes. The people that had come brought extras from previous projects so it wouldn't take him long. Haruhi would be re-fitted as well.
"This is the story of how I died. Don't worry! It's actually a very funny story. And the truth is, it isn't even mine. This is the story of a girl named Rapunzel. And it starts, with the sun."
Olivia signaled for the curtain to be pulled open to reveal a forest and a beautiful glowing flower. It was a projection piece that some of the students at the local technical college created for her. It illuminated and made it appear that the flower was really there when it wasn't; they couldn't get anything that glowed as brilliantly as she needed so she employed them to help her.
"Now, once upon a time, a single drop of sunlight fell from the heavens. And from this small drop of sun grew a magic, golden flower."
Benio pulled her cloak over her head and hunched over, she glanced back at Olivia and got the okay nod to proceed. Benio walked out on stage, with the ominous green lantern in hand. A few of the kids gasped and moved back. Mother Gothel was a force to be reckoned with.
"It had the ability to heal the sick and injured. Oh, you see that old woman over there? You might want to remember her. She's kind of important."
Olivia smiled, Tamaki was a brilliant narrator and he almost had her convinced he was the actual Flynn Rider. The plan was going smoothly, the children began to cheer and warn the character on stage of something happening outside of their knowing. Olivia loved it. The twins were playing the Stabbington Brother's so well, they even had Benio acting alongside them with no fuss. Everyone was doing very well with their characters, it also seemed as though the Lobellia girls didn't mind working with the boys at all. They weren't being snide or rude; they were actually being very helpful to everyone. It was really nice to seem them coexist.
The play was nearing the final few chapters. Olivia took the front of the stage, crossing the bridge and facing the crowd before her. She was almost shaking she was so tired.
"We are going to take a break now, this is where you all get costumes! You will be the people of Corona! It's also time for restroom breaks, snacks and drinks. We will all meet up near the gazebo for the next scene."
She bowed and the children smiled from ear to ear, they all stood and rushed different ways. A few children went towards the house for the restroom, a few to the snacks and drink table and a few to the costume areas.
"You know, you're really good at handling children." Kaoru told her.
She stood there; her body was trembling ever so slightly. She had sweat beading her arms and face. Eugene brought her a towel and she gently dabbed her face. Kaoru noticed her hands shaking ever so softly.
"A-are you okay?" He asked and she seemed to be on a different planet, "Olivia?"
"Yes, thank you Kaoru." She turned and smiled softly at him and he couldn't help but blush.
How could she look so poised and calm when she was clearly overworked and exhausted? She always seemed to have her head in the clouds. She was force to be reckoned with. He had never noticed it before.
She heard a few of the children calling her and she gracefully jumped off the stage and rushed over to them. She was so much like a child as well. Maybe she was a princess from another world, a distant planet where you never really grow up.
"Don't worry. She's fine." Eugene told him, he could tell Kaoru was worried about her.
"She has lost a lot of sleep and even her meals have been a bit small. She believes drawing doesn't allow much room for eating. Especially within the timeframe we've had."
Everyone could hear Eugene talking to Kaoru; they all watched her interacting with the children like there was nothing wrong. She was tired and hungry and about to collapse, but she'd do anything to make sure these children were happy. She sat on the ground and colored with a few of the children waiting to pick out their costumes.
"Miss Olivia? Do you think this dress is pretty?" a small girl asked and Olivia smiled.
"I think it is beautiful! Are you sure you're not a princess?"
The little girl smiled and blushed; Benio was impressed with how elegant she was. She was strong and independent, but she also depended on her friends and on the happiness of others to push further and further forward. She truly did have a heart of gold. She'd make a beautiful queen one day.
"Eugene, does she usually drink water during the breaks of her play?" Tamaki asked.
Eugene looked over at Tamaki; he was looking longingly at Olivia. Part of him was infuriated, but part of him understood that feeling. For a while he too wished nothing more than to be her everything, in a way he still is.
"Take her a water and a cup of yogurt. Tell her that she needs to eat or she'll pass out." He handed the items to Tamaki, "Don't let her talk you out of it."
Tamaki seemed shocked at how easily Eugene had helped him; he thought there would be a little more resistance along with Haruhi laying into him for being rude. But there was nothing. Eugene was helping him; he was helping him get closer to Olivia. Tamaki took the items and walked over to Olivia.
"Oh! Tamaki! Want to color?" She asked and held up a color page.
"I brought you a water and some yogurt." He told her as he took a seat next to her.
"I'm okay, thank you though! Well, I'll take the water…"
"You should really eat Olivia. I saw you trembling, if you don't you'll collapse on stage and there will be no final act for these children."
The kids around them looked at each other, Olivia noticed. She sighed and took the yogurt and began eating it. Tamaki smiled, Eugene was right. He began coloring with her and the children. Kaoru and Hikaru also came and colored with them. Kaoru was worried about Olivia. He'd never seen her seem so frail as she did right now. No matter how tall she stood, he knew she needed help. He had his brother, so he'd be there for her just he same. Olivia seemed so happy to be there, sitting in the grass and coloring with the children. She truly was beautiful in the dress she wore. She was a beautiful princess; there was no way around it.
"Miss Olivia, your new wig is ready!"
Olivia stood; Kaoru saw her sway a little. Tamaki did as well. She happily moved towards the group asking for her.
"Coming!" She chimed.
She sat in the chair and the stylist gently removed the other wig. They placed it on a mannequin head and they reapplied makeup to cover the glue used to hold the wig in place. Everyone could tell that she was used to doing this. She didn't complain, flinch or lose her chipper attitude.
"All done! What do you think?" The ladies asked and Olivia's face was beaming.
"It's so beautiful! Thank you so much! You all did a remarkable job!"
Everyone was having a lot of fun, even the people working on their weekends off. They were all here to help, and they were all happy to do so. Olivia went back and sat with everyone.
"That wig is super cute Olivia!" Hikaru told her.
"Yeah! Your team here is pretty amazing." Kaoru said with a smile.
"They really are, didn't have to beg any of them. They also canceled a lot of plans for this. It's really a very rare occurrence. I'm giving them all certifications to say they helped royalty; it should help their businesses. Not to mention that I am paying them well for the rushed help. I asked them all pretty short notice, I feel bad about it but they were all so willing to help. People are truly amazing sometimes."
She was smiling softly, she was so happy in that moment. She was doing something she loved and helping the people that were helping her.
I'd like to thank hsbillie, Ciel Phantomhive's Sister, Katrina Cat, .you.519, Effervescent Ocean, Just the tip of the Iceberg, VongolaCielo27 and everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and followed! Sorry I can't list everyone's names, but know that I know who you are! Thank you all soooooo much! More to come soon!