Act 2~Akt 2—Thus She Returns

Ahiru's POV

So, it looks like Fakir did it, I'm a girl again! And I don't even need a pendent. So that means, I'll be a girl forever! Oh Fakir! Thank you; thank you so much. I have to be sure to make it up to him. But first, I have to get home. So I guess, this means that I'll probably have to get all my things back in order, and I might even go back to studying ballet! Oh I wonder if Fakir will let me? And Pike and Lilia, will they remember me? Probably not, but it would be nice to see them again. I haven't seen them in such a long time, and Zura, she went back with Drosselmeyer didn't she? Well, I guess that makes the most sense, since he is the one that created her in the first place. But still, I will miss our conversations, oh miss Edel, without you, none of this would have been possible. I wonder what Fakir will say when he sees me, probably something like,

"About time you got here. Took you long enough. What? Got lost in the woods? Idiot."

Ya, he was never too nice to me when I was a girl, but I guess things have changed since the last time I was a girl. Ya, Mytho and Rue are back in the story, and they got their happily ever after. And they even defeated the Raven together; hmm I'm so glad. I can't wait to read that story with Fakir, and look at the pictures. I'm so glad that they still make sure to put images on the last pages of the book, it makes me happy to be able to see their smiling faces. Hmm, ya, I guess I'll never be able to feel that way about another person, the only one I've really thought about like that was,

"But he has Rue. And they deserve one another. She did save his life after all, and I didn't turn into a speck of light. I'm really indebted to them. Oh hey look, I'm back. Hey Fakir!"

"Duck!"

"Offfff, hey, Fakir. You should call me Ahiru now, it's much more cute. And I'll still be a duck, but now I'm a girl duck, person. Haha."
"Ha, ya I guess you are. All right then, hungry? Ahiru?"

Why did he hug me so tight? He was never that affectionate before. Well, at least he's in a good mood.

Fakir's POV

It's good to see Du-Ahiru again. It feels like it's been such a long time. Well, now that he's back, hopefully everything will be back to normal. I just, can't believe I hugged her, that was, so unlike me. But it doesn't matter; all that matters is that she's back. Ya, she's back, hmm I honestly wasn't a hundred percent sure whether or not that would work, I'm glad it did. Well, I guess I'd better be thinking of what to have for dinner, since that's what I promised her.

"Alright, I'll make dinner while you go and have a bath. That sound fine to you?"

"Sure, it'll be nice to get all cleaned up, just like a girl."

"You are a girl, idiot."
"Ya well, you don't have to be so mean about it."

"Sorry, I'm just, tired."
"I bet you had to really think a lot in order to write the story hu?"
"Ya. But it was worth it in the end."

"How's that?"

"Well, now I can, or we both can go back to school. It doesn't make any use if I don't continue learning, I won't be able to write as well. And I think we could both use a decent social life. I think I've had enough talking to a duck for company."

"Well, I guess that's true. And it would be nice to see everyone again. Mr. Cat-"

"He actually got married, but he's still teaching dance."

"That's great! I can't wait to see Pike and Lillie. I wonder if they'll remember me."

"I doubt it, but you never know. This town always seems to have surprises. But you have to promise me that you won't utter a word about what happened."

"You mean, I can't tell anyone about Mytho and Rue, and the Raven."

"That's right, no one knows about it all really happening. As far as everyone's concerned, that's all just apart of the story."

"Alright, I promise I won't say anything. I won't be turned back into a duck will I?"

"No, I burned the story as soon as it came true. So that means you're stuck as a girl, whether you like it or not."

"Wow! Thanks Fakir!"

"Ya well don't get used to me doing you favors, it wasn't too easy understanding a duck's quack, especially because you say them all the same. It was frustrating trying to communicate with you."

"Haha, I guess that much is true. But it really is good to see you. Hey Fakir, will Caron remember me?"

"I'm not sure, he hasn't been around much lately, but he doesn't say anything when I would talk to you as a duck. And he knew that Mytho came out of the story. So I guess we'll find out when we get home."

"Hey Fakir! We're here!"

"Right then, let's see if Caron's home."

Well, here it goes. I hope this goes better than the last few times I've dreamt about this.

"Hey Caron. I'm home."

"Welcome home Fakir."
"I brought someone with me."

"Oh?"

"Ya, she's a good friend of mine. Caron, this is Ahiru."

"Nice to meet you, say you look rather familiar."

"Ya, I get that a lot."

"So why is it that Fakir hasn't brought you around before?"

"Well, he-"

"I'm not one to intermix my friends with my family life much."

"Oh, that must mean that this girl means a great deal to you, eh Fakir?"

"I suppose you could say that I've become immune to her company."

"Hey, I'm standing right here ya know?"

"Ah Fakir, you should be nicer to your friend. Especially if you expect this relationship to go anywhere."

"What? Go anywhere, no Du-Ahiru and I are only friends."

"That's right, we'd never go well together. Sometimes we can hardly stand to be around one another."

"Hmm. Well, would you two like something to eat?"

"That sounds wonderful!"

"Yes well, Ahiru will need to take a bath, and she'll be staying in the guest room. If that's alright with you."
"Well it seems you've made up your mind already. Then I'll leave the cooking to you Fakir; I'm off to work. And I suppose to go to the market, since it'll be the three of us now."

"Right then, I'll see you tonight."

"Yes, and don't forget, I'll be leaving tomorrow."

"Oh, why's that?"

"I must go to the blacksmith convention Ahiru, we'll be selling a lot of our goods, hoping to make a good profit. I'm sure to sell a lot, what with the convention actually being outside the town walls."

"I see then, I'll make sure to watch over everything."

"Yes, you do that Fakir, and make sure to take good care of you're lovely friend, or else she may leave you as well."

"Hmm."

"Goodbye Mr. Caron, it was nice meeting you."

"Nice to meet you as well Ahiru."

Well at least he's gone now, seems he doesn't remember who Ahiru was, which may be a good thing. The less people know about her secret, the better.

"So it looks like Caron didn't remember me after all, hu Fakir?"

"No, he didn't. Either that or he's a good liar."

"No, I don't think he'd keep anything from you."
"Well then, shouldn't you be taking a bath?"

"Right, I'll make it quick then."

"That's fine, just don't get hurt. Even as a girl, you still resemble some duck-like qualities."

"Ya I know, but you also resemble some knight-like qualities too. What with you always trying to protect people."

"Yes, but I'm no good as a knight, I prefer to write."

"Ok then, I'm going to go take a bath now."

"Good."

Finally, she always dilly-dallies around, hmm, she needs to be more aware of herself and where she is or else she'll get herself into a lot of trouble. Hmm, I wonder how it will go from now on. I've been homeschooling myself, but I guess it's about time to return to the academy. Ahiru will probably want to study dance again. I suppose she'll be needing a little bit of practicing, since she was always pretty terrible at it, if only she could somehow channel Tutu's talent of pointe dancing. Since Tutu was apart of her, it shouldn't be too hard. I'll talk to her tonight about it, who knows, maybe I'll even make a story out of it.

Ahiru's POV

"Ahh, so nice to soak in a hot bath after a long walk. It sure is nice of Fakir to be treating me like this. Like an actual person, and not a duck, but you know, I'm still kind of duck-like. I miss being able to dance like Tutu, but maybe . . . maybe I can dance like that again. I'll have to ask Fakir if we'll be going back to school now. I'd really like that if we did. But will anyone know about us? Now that Mytho and Rue are gone, does that mean no one knows about Fakir either?"

Well, at least we'll have each other to talk to and I'm going to try and talk to Pike and Lilia. I hope it all goes well, but even if it doesn't, I won't give up.

"La, la la la laaa. Hmm, I better make sure to scrub well and make myself smell nice, or else Fakir will probably get frustrated with me. Ya, he'd say something like, 'Smells like duck stew.' Or like, 'Did you even wash? Because it sure doesn't smell like it. Haha, ya he's always looking after me, but in a weird kind of way. Like the way he always worries about me hurting myself, but yet he always calls me an idiot. I guess he kind of does that to everyone he's close to, he even used to call Mytho an idiot."

Hmm, well doesn't matter, I'm hungry and it smells like Fakir is almost done with dinner. So I'd better hurry. I guess it'd be a good time to get out and dry off.

"Right, here I goo-waahh! Offff!"

"Hey duck! Are you ok? Ahiru? You tripped didn't you?"

"Ohhh, ya I did, but I'm ok."

"Just hurry up, or dinner is going to get cold. I'll be waiting downstairs."

"Fine."

At least he didn't come in, but that really hurt. Hmm, well I guess I'd better hurry; Fakir must be hungry too.

Fakir's POV

"Uhh, that duck. Always going around hurting herself. But still, she's, she's. Just as duck-like now as every. I really do wonder if she'd ever be as graceful as Tutu again."

Well, that doesn't matter now; I just hope she hurries up before dinner gets cold.

"Here I come! Oh that smells good!"

"Well that was fa- woah Ahiru, you look . . ."

"Like a girl? Ya I know it isn't much, but you are the one who put it out for me. A simple yellow dress with a small orange bow; it's really pretty. Thank you Fakir."

"Ya, no problem."

She looks so, different. It's almost as though, but it couldn't be, could it? She almost resembles Tutu, with her hair pinned up and that smile, she even came down the stairs without tripping or falling, perhaps resuming ballet classes would help with her way of walking, and it could help her posture a lot.

"So, I hope you like stew."

"Ya, sounds yummy."

"It's rabbit stew, I got the recipe from Effine. She's starting to write cook books now."

"That's great! I think we should go to her restaurant tomorrow."

"Fine, but first, let's eat. I'm starving."

"Ok then. Thanks for the meal."

"Hmm. You're welcome."

"Mmmm, it's great Fakir!"

"Really? Not too bland?"

"Not at all! I could tell you tried really hard."

"Hmm, well that's good, Caron usually tells me that my meals are bland."

"Well, not this one."

"Good then. I wanted to talk to you about something."
"What is it?"

"I was thinking, about school. It isn't good to skip out on an education, even if you are, were, just a duck. And since you'll be a girl from now on, it'd be better to get an education. And it won't do any good if you're just laying around the house all day."

"Really!? You'll let me go back to taking ballet? I can even see Pike and Lillie again?"

"Yes, but you can't forget that you promised me that you wouldn't say a word about what happened in the past, or recently."
"Of course I won't!"

"Then it's settled, we enroll tomorrow morning."

"Then we can celebrate after by going to Effine's restaurant."

"Yes, but I'm going to make sure to stay by your side."

"Hu? Really?"
"Well, someone has to keep an eye on you, and I am the only one that knows enough about you to be your friend."

"Oh ya."

"Idiot."

"Hmm, well thanks Fakir! I can't wait!"

"Just finish your food."

"Right!"

Pfft, idiot, getting excited over the littlest of things.

"But what about you Fakir?"

"What about me? I'm already finished."

"No, I mean, about school. Will you be doing ballet again? Or will you pursue writing?"

"I will do both."

"Hu?"

"I will take ballet classes with you in order to keep an eye on you. We will be taking the same classes, and I will be seeking after more books to teach me about my power on my own. No one needs to know about the fact that I'm related to Drosselmeyer, and the bookmen have been keeping their distance. Which is good, and as far as I'm concerned, that will be kept a secret too."

"What will?"

"The fact that I'm related to Drosselmeyer. And besides, it wouldn't be good to take too many writing classes, or else I may end up putting too many stories into this town."

"Ohh, I get it."

"Yes, and I'm going to have to learn to control it. Because chances are, I will have to be writing essays and such."

"Hmm. I see, well I promise I won't tell anyone that either."

"Good then. Are you finished?"

"Yep, that was great. I'm so full, I couldn't eat another bit."

"Good then, I guess we should clean up."

"I'll do it."

"Hu?"

"Well, you did make the meal, so I'll clean up. You can go take a bath now."

"Ya, alright."

"Hmm good, then maybe we can read The Prince and The Raven together."

"Sure."

"Hmm."

Well that went, well, I guess. She's just so eager, I just hope she keeps her promises. I guess we'll find out by the end of the week, I just hope she passes the entrance exam.

Narrator's POV

"Well, it's time. Are you coming Ahiru?"

"Yes, just a minute! *My old uniform, I'm glad it still fits me.* 1 "

"Right then, don't forget you're not going to make friends today, we simply need to take the entrance exam."

"Ya, then why am I wearing this old uniform?"

"Well actually, I uh managed to get a spare. So just act natural and do what I say. And Ahiru."

"Ya?"

"Try not to talk too much."

"Got it! Hey, you're not going to make up some story about me are you?"

"I just might, we'll see how it goes."

And they were off, she right beside him, without fear and without hesitation. She was so excited to go back, hoping that not too much has changed. 'cept for th fact that Mr. Cat got married, and that there were no animals like before, but in a way, she did miss the oddness of that town. How random people entering the town would suddenly turn into animals, and how Miss Edel would give such good advice, and how loving and caring everyone was. In a way she felt as though a special quality had been removed, yet she knew each individual was living according to free will and making their own decisions according to their own feelings and thoughts. Thus, she could be more accepting of the fact that the town was just a plain and "ordinary" town, though she and Fakir knew it was so much more than that. And before she knew it, they had arrived, and Ahiru was being her plan old self, lost in thought and not paying attention to where she was going, bumping into.

"Off, ow. I'm sorry, Mr.—oh."

"Missh, there ish no room for clumsinessh. I hope you are not planning on joining the ballet department."

"Well you see, uh."

"Yes, we both are. You must excuse Ahiru here, she's very nervous. She's been looking forward to this day for so long, and she's a hard worker. She also understands that there is much room for improvement and she intends on practicing with me, very diligently. And I assure you that she will be practicing."

"Ahh, I shee that the man has the reshponshibility in this relationship."

"Ow, we're not—Fakir wouldn-"

"Yes well we are very compadible, aren't we my little duck?"

"Hu?"

"I shee, well good look Miss, Ahiru."

"Th-thank you Mr. ?"

"Cat."

"Ah, Mr. Cat sir."

"Hmm, take good care of her Mr. Fakir, she's shpecial."

"Yes indeed sir." After Fakir's final words, Mr. Cat was out of sight and hearing range.

"I'm so confused."

"Oh duck, you really need to be careful."

"Fakir, you know I prefer you to call me Ahiru."

"Ya, sorry. Ahiru, I don't know why but that name's so hard to say."
"Is it the name, or me?"

"Hu? What? No, neither, I'm just so used to calling you duck."

"Well, technically, they're the same, Ahiru is just the Japanese way of saying duck. So it is still technically my name."

"Ya, alright, I'll look at it from that perspective."

"Hmm, well I guess we'd better go."

"Um Ahiru? The ballet classes are that way, but the main office is this way."

"Oh, right!"

"Hmmph, you sure know how to get yourself lost don't you?"

"Haha, ya, I can be an airhead sometimes. But no matter what, I won't give up!"

"Ya, that's the spirit!"—a girl with magenta hair (Pike)

"Yes duck-like girl, keep pursuing him, he's sure to see the good in you! And he will fall in love with you, but if something terrible should happen . . ."—a girl with blond hair (Lillie)

"We'll be here to support you!"—Pike

"Hu? Pursue him? Fall in love with me? Oh no, Fakir and I aren't like that at all."

"Ya, who'd want to wind up falling in love with this knuckle head?"

"Hey Fakir! That wasn't very nice."

"Yes well, as far as I'm concerned, we're just very good friends."

"Oh my!"—Lillie

"What a let down!"—Pike

"No, it's not . . ."

"Yes well, we'd better get going, that is, if you still want to take the entrance exams, my fine feathered friend."

"You know, I don't like the was you tease me." She puffed up her cheeks and crossed her arms.

"How cute! I bet that crushed her."—Lillie

"Ya, poor, wait we don't even know your name."—Pike

"Oh, sorry, I'm Ahiru."

"Your name's duck?"—Pike

"Ya."

"Oh so does that mean you're like a duck? Clumsiness and all?"—Lillie

"Kind of, but that's why I want to take ballet."

"Oh, wonderful!"—Lillie

"Ya, we're in the beginners class with Mr. Cat as our instructor, but Mrs. Cat is kind of helping out any girl who needs help in the class. It's pretty nice though. Well hopefully we'll see you around."—Pike

"Yes, I'm sure you'll fail marvelously."—Lillie

"Ya ok, I'll see you guys around."

"See, you made friends already, and you're not even enrolled yet."

"Ya, this is great!"

"Hmm, I knew you could do it."

"Ya? Really?"

"Yes, but now we just have to get you to learn true ballet steps, and not those duck-like moves you did in the past. Perhaps Mrs. Cat will help (and if not, I could always write another story, but only with her consent)2."

"Ya, so we'd better head to the main office now."

"Right."

And thus they did, they ran into a few familiar faces, even Femio tried to flirt with Ahiru, but Fakir managed to pull her long braid and get her out of safety. They both passed the test, with flying colors I might add. Even Ahiru was surprised, and Fakir was very happy for her. As a reward, he was going to take her out to Effine's, just like Ahiru wanted.

"So, what would you like to eat Ahiru?"

"Oh well, I was thinking, hmmm . . . how about a ham sandwich with sourdough bread and some fresh fruit?"

"Sounds good, and fairly healthy, but you know, you shouldn't eat too much. Now that you're pursing to become a Prima Ballerina."

"Ya, I'll just make sure not to eat so much later on."

"Alright, if you complain about being hungry, I'll give you a stick of celery."

"Fine, but you have to do the same."

"Ya, that's why I'm getting a garden salad. So there, you can't complain now."

"Hmphf."

"Haha."

"Hu, I've never really seen you laugh before, well only when I was, um you know."

"A duck? Ya, you seem to be the only one that can make me laugh. Not even Mytho could do that."

"Hmm, well I'm happy that you're happy, and laughing and enjoying yourself. You deserve it Fakir."

"Well, you deserve it too."

"Deserve what?"

"Laughing, joy, happiness, a happily ever after."

"Why's that?"

"Because you went through hardships too."

"Ya but, nothing like yours-"

"Don't compare the two. It doesn't matter what happened in our pasts, and we shouldn't outweigh the negatives, but we should both deserve our happy ending."

"Yes, and I think we should continue to work for it. I promise that from this day forward, I will work hard in school, and in ballet. Because I want to be a Prima Ballerina, just like Princess Tutu, and just like Rue."

"Princess Rue you mean."

"Oh, are you two talking about the Prince and the Raven?"—Effine

"Oh, yes, I think Princess Rue is my favorite character!"

"Yes, I have to agree with you. And you sir?"

"Well, I'd have to say Princess Tutu was mine."

"Really Fakir?"

"Ya."

"Well, aren't you two just the cutest couple I've ever seen!"

"Oh we're not-"—Ahiru

"Yes well, thank you."

"Know what can I get you two to eat?"

"She'll have a ham sandwich with sourdough bread and fresh fruit. And I'll have a garden salad with Italian dressing. I got that right, didn't I, Ahiru?" His voice was soft and sweet, not like she'd ever heard it before.

"Ya, that's right." Her voice was a little bit surprised and unsure of what made him smile like that, and at her non-the less.

"Alright then, I'll have those out for you soon."

"Thank you very much."—Ahiru

"Yes, thank you."

And off Effine went, as the two sat and waited, chatting on about what the next steps were, and Fakir continued to hope that Ahiru will be able to learn ballet on her own. They enjoyed their lunch and sat and talked for a while, until Fakir noticed that the sun was beginning to set.

"We'd better get home, it's getting late and I don't want Caron to get upset, or worried about us."

"Ok, thanks for lunch Fakir."

"No problem."

They walked home, side by side, neither saying a word for a moment.

"So, tomorrow's our first day hu?"—Ahiru

"Ya, it is."

"Hmm, I'm a little nervous. But honestly, I think I'm more excited."
"Ya, I'm kind of nervous too."

"Really? The great Senor Fakir nervous?"

"Who said anything about being great? And besides, it's perfectly normal to be nervous. Besides, with you around, it makes it even easier."

"Hey!"

"Relax, I'm only joking."

"Oh. Haha, sorry."

"It's fine, I don't blame you for being offended."

"Hmph."

"I didn't mean it that way. Ugh, look, I'm trying to be nice."

"How? By insulting me?"

"No, I'm really trying to watch what I say."

"Ya well, you still could try a little harder. I'm not a duck you know, I'm a real girl, with feelings and everything."

"Ya, I know that. I'm sorry Ahiru."

"You're forgiven, just try not to make it sound so offensive."

"Oh."

"Your sarcasm."
"Right, sorry. I guess it was what I used to keep people away."

"Even me?"

"Ya, at some point, even you."

"But it's different now right? Cause we're friends?"

"Yes, because we're friends now, I don't want to scare you away."

"Hmm, me neither."

"Good, then we'll both try harder."

"Ya!"

1 *Whisper

2 A thought, not said aloud, by using (parenthesis)