I do not own anything... If I did, there would be moar kimonos.
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The Leviathan was freezing cold, but everyone seemed vaguely cheerful. Much headway had been made, and Christmas was approaching. The food was better, and some plucky airman had crookedly hung holly garlands throughout the mess hall. The Red Cross had supplied its traditionally mismatched care packages, containing things such as soap, playing cards, and toffee. Deryn, Newkirk, and Alek were playing Old Maid during a rare break.
"And now Newkirk picks from you," Deryn explained impatiently to Alek. This was getting barking annoying.
"I know, I know." Alek picked one of the two proffered cards, and Newkirk groaned.
"You win."
"Really?"
"Well, Newkirk did get stuck as the Old Maid." The middy showed him the card. The three of them sat there for a while, pondering Alek's unforseen success.
"Just wondering, has anyone ever been in a Christmas pantomime?" Newkirk asked, breaking the silence.
"Aye, twice," Deryn said grimly, "And don't you dare try to set one up." Alek looked at her confusedly. "It's traditional to do a play at Christmas, and it's traditional for them to be awful. I was a shepherd when I was six and a wise man when I was nine. After that, I stopped letting myself be persuaded into them."
"I asked the officers, and they seemed rather keen for it. They said we could," Newkirk smirked and Deryn groaned.
"Absolutely not."
"I don't have to be in it, since I'm a prisoner of war, correct?"
"Everyone has to have some kind of play-related job."
"Right. I'l be a stagehand."
"We don't have a stage, ninny."
"Ex-actly. Have you picked a play?"
"Twelfth Night. Stupid boffin picked it."
"Your fault for suggesting it." Deryn retorted. Alek had an expression of interest.
"You two do know there are girls in that play?" He asked politely.
"Our dearest doctoress refuses to act, so the three girls will be the shortest airmen."
Deryn could see Alek scanning the room, desperately looking for someone taller than them. Newkirk voiced the thought they were all thinking.
"Meaning the three of us."
"No."
"No."
"I'm with you two, but it's the spirit of Christmas!"
"And we all know how Jesus was born so you could cross-dress."
"Dylan!" said Alek, shocked.
"It can't be a swear word if the preacher says it!"
"Fine, fine. Luckily, one 'girl' will be dressed as a boy most of the time."
A pause.
"Claimed!" the trio yelled in unison. After drawing straws, it was decided that Deryn would play Olivia, Newkirk would play Maria, and Alek would play Viola. The cast would read from scripts, as the play was too long to memorize.
Alek shuddered.
"You would look terrible as a girl, Dylan,"
Deryn scowled as Alek browsed through the script.
"I hate my character."
"Stop whining, nancy."
"All the trouble in the story is caused by her disguise! That, and her twin brother showing up."
Deryn's face fell a fraction.
"At least my brother isn't identical," she muttered.
"What?"
"I think that your character is mental, I said."