Great big thanks to everyone who has been keeping up with all these stories, you all amazing! Thank you so much!
Strike Up the Sand part 1
It was about midmorning when we reached the cloth stand. I was standing around back, bored and admiring some of the fruit on the other stall next to the one Jasmine was at. She was finding something she said she needed and asked us to come along and all of us had seeing that she really wanted us to spend more time together. I moved closer to the stand.
"Don't even." Al stated and I glared at his back. He turned to look at me warningly and I stuck my tongue out. Genie snickered from his right and Al rolled his eyes before turning back around.
"Hey, get me one." Iago muttered into my ear and Genie flicked him off my shoulder. "HEY!"
"You weren't really going to were you?" He asked and I shook my head.
"No, I was just thinking about it. Old habits die hard." Genie nodded and Iago came back onto my shoulder once he was turned around.
"What the heck is wrong with you?" he snapped lowly and I looked at him.
"What?"
"You let him hit me!"
"Sorry?" He pouted and I laughed quietly, reaching up to pet him. "Relax Iago, I'm only kidding." Iago didn't want to, but he grinned and let me stroke his head. I always got him to do what I wanted when I did that. He liked to get attention.
"Ah, for one so beautiful I have something very special." Omar greeted Jasmine, holding up a nice red cloth for her to see. Immediately, she shook her head.
"No, it's not for me. It's for him." She pointed at Al and he gasped.
"Him?" Omar asked skeptically. "Hm. Well, perhaps some nice burlap?" I snorted and Iago and Al sniggered.
"No, no, no. he needs something special. Something really dashing." Omar's eyes lit up at the prospect of getting money from Jasmine, so he nodded.
"Ah, I see. Oh, come here I have the finest silks in all of Agrabah." Omar led Jasmine around the side of the stall and towards a back row of cloths.
"Silk?" Al repeated in horror and I sniggered. Iago was shaking on my shoulder.
"Oh, Aladdin, you'll be the prettiest boy in Agrabah." Iago mocked and I couldn't hold in my laughter anymore. Genie sniggered from nearby and Al growled at us.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Abu walked around past Al, swinging his tail much like he had when he had been making fun of Jasmine that time in the dudgeon. Al was seething now at Abu's girly imitation.
"Cut it out, guys." He hissed through his teeth. As we were laughing, a commotion was going on further up the street and we all stopped to see Rasoul chasing someone.
"Stop thief!" He snarled as a young girl around Jasmine's age with dark brown hair ran away from him a melon tucked under one arm. She ran towards us after knocking a fish cart over and behind her the guards slipped on the fish like skates. She ran by and I stared at her in slight awe as she kept going. She was pretty that much I could tell, but I hadn't seen what color her eyes were.
"Alaric!" Al pulled me out of the way as Rasoul and the rest of the guards barreled past. Genie was shoved around in a circle as they passed him.
"Are you alright?" Al asked but I wasn't looking at him, I was watching the girl as she made a fool of the royal guards. She leapt onto a clothesline and with some really awesome flips she leapt off and grabbed another clothesline.
"Hey, she's pretty good." Al commented and I nodded.
"She's amazing." I felt him looking at me, but I didn't turn. I couldn't look away from her. The girl jumped to an awning and bounced on the ground yards away.
"After her!" I heard Rasoul shout and I blinked into action.
"Come on!" I called and took off after the girl and Rasoul. I heard the others behind me and sped up. I caught up to the guards in an alley, where Rasoul was holding the girl captive. I could see her up close now and took in her appearance. She was about Jasmine's height with long dark brown hair that was a stick out from what other Agrabanian's looked like and her blue eyes were a shade lighter than mine. She wore white pants with a blue sash around the middle and a dark green top with long white sleeves that were worn and patched at the elbows.
"Hey, what do you think you are doing?" Al shouted at Rasoul, before I could say anything and I blinked back into reality.
"She is a thief!" Rasoul hissed and he pulled a melon out from behind the girl's back. A thought suddenly crossed my mind and I grinned wickedly.
"Some Captain of the Guard you are." I scoffed and he turned his glare to me. "You don't even know who she is, do you?" A puzzled look crossed the guard's face.
"I, uh….should I?" I rolled my eyes.
"Of course!" I said indigently and the girl nodded.
"Yes, you most certainly should! I'm, uh, uh…." She looked at me and I winked at her. Al met my gaze briefly and grinned knowingly. He knew what I was doing.
"Uh, the Royal Fruit Inspector." Al told him for her and I nodded from beside him.
"Yeah, so you should treat her with more respect."
"Right!" The girl stated and Rasoul narrowed his eyes.
"If you're the fruit inspector, then you must have a royal badge like this!" From a pouch in his belt he took out a solid gold badge with official writing on it. Iago was drooling near me and I held in a snicker at him. The girl began to sputter.
"Um, well, I, um." I looked at Genie and he and Abu nodded at each other and then at me. Genie, still as a bug, flew into Rasoul's face distracting him, while Abu snatched the badge from his pocket. Abu set the badge in the girl's hands and she smiled at us. I melted. It was a beautiful smile.
"So, 'Inspector,' the badge?" Rasoul said smugly after Genie had flown away and reappeared behind us again.
"Satisfied, big boy?" The girl shoved the badge into his face and Rasoul's eyes widened.
"But…"
"You were about to blow a very important undercover fruit inspection!"
"Oh, well, of course; I…"
"Now get out of here before I report you to the sultan!" Rasoul didn't hesitate to get out of there and Al and I laughed as he practically fled the alley.
"That ought to teach those goons a little respect." Al snickered and I grinned. "Good thinking, Rick." I beamed proudly and turned to the girl, hoping she had heard. However, she was looking at Al.
"You saved me." She said, leaning towards Al. "No one has ever done that for me before."
"Uh, well, force of habit. I've had trouble with Rasoul before. Right Rick?"
"Yeah." I got in front of Al, grinning at the girl. "It was nothing really. All in a day's work." Iago sniggered somewhere near Genie and I shot him a frown.
"Uh, here's your melon." Al said and he handed her the fruit. "Ya know, um, stealing isn't the answer." The girl came closer to Al, backing him up.
"Mmhm." She answered and I frowned in agitation and followed. Why wouldn't she look at me? Was something wrong with me?
"Err, uh, uh, I'll just give the fruit vendor some coins for you. Bye!" Al ran off towards the end of the alley.
"Um, uh, my name is Sadira!" The girl called out at him quickly before he disappeared.
"I-I'm Aladdin!" Al called out and he went around the corner. I grinned at her as she turned around.
"Oh!" I had caught her by surprise. "Hello."
"Hi." I said and she looked at me funnily. I stopped ogling her and stood up straighter. "Oh, um, my name's Alaric." She smiled at me and I melted again. She wasn't Jasmine, but she was very pretty.
"Alaric!" I heard Genie call and I waved at her.
"I'll see you around!" I called to her and walked backwards. I was trying to think of something else to say when I bumped into a barrel knocking it off. I felt my cheeks flush as she gave a slight giggle and embarrassed I ran off towards the sound of Genie's voice my face flaming.
"There you are." He said when I came up to them; they were back at the stall we had been at earlier. Genie looked at my face when I got there and arched an eyebrow. "Are you feeling alright, kiddo?"
"Huh?"
"Your face, Casanova!" Iago howled with laughter and Abu laughed too. "It's as red a tomato!" I glared at them both and Genie ruffled my hair.
"Ah, leave him alone." I stuck my tongue out at the parrot and Iago only laughed harder. Abu stopped at least and clambered onto Al's shoulder.
"Great, Jasmine left without us." Al sighed and Genie left my side to come next to him.
"In hot water with the little lady, eh, pal?" He turned into a French man and he turned Al from the stand to make us walk to find Jaz. "Let me tell you something about women. Zey are very special creatures, no?"
"Great, you're gonna take love advice from a guy who hasn't had a date in ten thousand years." Iago grumbled and Genie zapped him off my shoulder. I grinned down at Iago as he sputtered sand. "Oh, shut up Casanova."
"Oh yeah you are such an expert on girls." I scoffed.
"Better me than that." he pointed at Genie who was frowning at the parrot.
"What about Eden?" I asked.
"That doesn't count. According to what you guys said, it wasn't even a long date." I rolled my eyes as Iago muttered beside me.
"Ah, women, zey appreciate ze little things, n'est pas? Like when you notice their hair or their clothing." Genie continued over Iago's muttering.
"And, what is most of all, ze appreciate le compassion and le understanding." Al and I listened to Genie with slight wonder. I was taking notes in my head being sure the next time that I talked to Sadira; I would know what to say.
"Hi, Aladdin!" I jumped as Sadira appeared walking backwards alongside Al. I found myself tongue tied. "What are you doing?" She asked us.
"Uh, hi, uh…."
"Sadira." I said before she could and I gave Al an irritated look. How could he not remember her name? "Her name is Sadira." She laughed. She had a wonderful laugh.
"That's right." She said and then looked at Al.
"Uh, Sadira, right. Uh, we're –we're looking for someone." Al stuttered.
"Oh, really? I know a lot of people. Can I help?"
"Uh, well, sure. We're looking for-"
"His girlfriend." I chimed in and Al arched an eyebrow at me. "We're looking for his girlfriend." Sadira looked disappointed.
"Oh. Huh. I see. Glad to help." I pushed past Al to walk beside her. She was looking glum, so I decided to cheer her up.
"So, um, err…I-I like your hair?" I stated in more of a question and she looked at me surprised.
"You do?" I nodded.
"Aw, thank you. That's very sweet." She smiled at me and I flushed red. Iago sniggered as did Abu and I hissed at them to stop. We walked a little further and Al went up to tap the man in front of us.
"Uh, I'm looking for a young beautiful woman."
"And what is wrong with that one?" The man responded in confusion pointing at Sadira. I grinned at her as she blushed a bit.
"Uh, she's not…that is, uh-"
"There you are!" We turned to see Jasmine coming our way, her arms filled with silken cloths. "Look, I found the most beautiful brocade." Al gulped.
"Uh, Jasmine, I want you to meet a new friend of ours. This is-"
"Sadira." I proudly finished Al's sentence standing beside her. Jasmine looked at me with a small smile and then came over to Sadira.
"Hello, Sadira, nice to meet you." She shook hands with her and Sadira nodded.
"Good afternoon."
"We were just out walking." I told Jasmine and she almost giggled.
"Yes, I see that." She then held up the cloth for her to see. "Look, Sadira, isn't this lovely? I'm having an outfit made for Aladdin."
"He must be so proud." Sadira muttered and I sniggered. I was suddenly shoved aside and I turned to see Rasoul standing there. I glared at him.
"Good afternoon, ladies." He bowed ignoring me completely and then he looked at Sadira. "Madam Fruit Inspector, I trust everything is up to standard." I saw the look on Jasmine's face at this and winced. Uh-oh, please don't say anything Jaz!
"Oh, everything's just fine. Carry on." She waved at the guard and he gave another bow and turned to make his leave.
"Fruit inspector? Agrabah doesn't have a fruit inspector." Jasmine said suddenly and we all winced. Oh, no. Rasoul stopped and turned around growling and Sadira turned and glared at Jasmine.
"Of course it does. How would you know, anyway?" She snapped and Jasmine frowned.
"Because my father is the sultan." Sadira paled.
"And that would make you…Princess Jasmine?" She asked nervously and Jasmine nodded. She started backing away and I tried to warn her about Rasoul standing behind her still. "Heh, heh, fancy that." She bumped into a very furious Rasoul.
"Fruit inspector, eh?" He snarled and gripped her arm. Sadira, the quick thinker, elbowed him and he let go long enough for her to run free down the street.
"Bye, Sadira!" I called. "See ya around!" Rasoul swore under his breath.
"Catch that thief!" He snarled and then he turned and loomed over me. "And this time you stay out of it, boy." He snapped pointing a finger in my face. I pushed it away.
"I'll remember that." I stated coolly. He growled and then turned on his heel to take off after Sadira. Jasmine was biting her lip when I turned back around.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean too."
"Its okay, Jaz." She nodded and then looked at me as we started back to the palace.
"So, how did you meet her?"
"We helped her with Rasoul earlier. He was giving her a hard time." I answered and she nodded.
"She's pretty isn't she?" I nodded looking at the ground.
"Yeah." I looked up to see her give Aladdin a secret smile and he grinned. I shrugged. I never know what they seem to be saying to each other anymore. Most conversations were telepathic it seemed, though I could never understand how it was done.
A little later….
Iago, Abu, Carpet, and Genie and I lounged on the garden steps waiting for Al to show off his newly made outfit to Jasmine who was sitting near the fountain. I was still thinking about Sadira wondering what it was about me that she didn't seem to like. Genie bumped my shoulder and I looked over at him.
"Whatcha thinking about?"
"Nothing, I guess." I answered and Iago snickered.
"You're thinking about that girl again." He teased and I grew angry.
"No, I'm not." I snapped and Iago narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah, right. She's too old for you anyway." I blew a raspberry at him and he blew one back.
"So." I slumped and Iago snickered.
"Told ya." Genie poked him.
"Leave him be. All kids get crushes on older people." I frowned now, slightly annoyed.
"It's not a crush! I don't like her!" Genie and Iago exchanged glances at my outburst. Abu turned from watching Al and focused on us.
"Whatever you say." They chorused at the same time, but in different tones. Iago was being taunting, where as Genie was being teasing. I frowned at the both of them before looking back in time to see Al walk out of the palace. I snickered quietly and they all turned to see. Iago collapsed on the steps in silent laugher, none of us wanting to run him off yet.
"Well, I must say you look very dashing." Jasmine commented and she bent down to fix his pants leg. Al grimaced.
"Bahahaa!" Iago howled and we all laughed no longer able to hold it in. Al scowled at us all. He was wearing an outfit of light purple, white, and gold. His pants and sleeves were white and he wore a vest over it that was a light purple and it had a gold belt attached to it. The vest crossed at the front and had high shoulder blades and a collar high on his neck which he tugged on. To top it off he wore a wide pink and purple turban with a light blue stone in the front.
"He looks about as comfortable as a snail in a salt shaker!" Iago continued and Al growled at us as we laughed louder.
"Don't pay any attention to them." Jaz told him looking at us with a slight smug look. "They wouldn't know fashion if it came up and bit them on the leg." I was about to say something when the ground erupted underneath Jasmine and she was suddenly snatched by a giant sand monster! She was hoisted into the air by the monster and it grew larger as it stood all the way up with her in its grasp.
"Jasmine!" Al gasped and ran towards her. The sand beast heard him and turned his free hand into a large block slamming it down in front of Al blocking him and knocking his fat turban off.
"Genie, help!" Al called out and I stood up to help to. "Stay right there." Al told me and I scowled. I can help! Genie came over to him and made himself into a spring under AL's feet and there he launched Al up and over to the other side of the beast. Genie followed, turning into a sword for Al to use.
"Hey, ugly!" Al called tauntingly and the sand monster turned towards him.
"Come on, Carpet." I said and the rug looked over at me. "We gotta help, Al." Carpet lowered himself and I got on, pulling Iago and Abu with me.
"Hey, let go! I am perfectly content to stay right here."
"Come on, Iago, we have to help." He sighed and allowed me to put him on Carpet next to Abu who chattered at me. "You too, Abu." I said and the monkey pouted. Great, they were both going to pout.
"Aladdin!" Jasmine screamed and I saw Al hold the Genie-sword up.
"Let her go or I'll run you through!" Al shouted at the monster. To our surprise the beast started to laugh.
"Oho, Mister Fancypants, is mad, he is. I bet you can't even turn your head in that outfit." I snorted despite that he was the enemy and Iago rolled his eyes. Al got mad at the comment and ripped the collar off his outfit before jumping up and slashing the beast's arm off.
Al caught Jasmine as she fell from the falling sand and he gently put her on the ground before tucking his sword away. He then took her hand and they raced away from the beast who getting madder. It watched them running off and I tugged at Carpet.
"We have to distract it!" I moved Carpet towards the beast and we circled around it, breaking its concentration.
"Oh, knock it off!" It whined at us. "I'm trying to do my job here." Carpet circled back around and I gasped. The creature turned its hand into a hammer and was aiming at us. We all screamed and Carpet was unable to dodge as it hit us full on. We flew back from the impact and slammed into a wall. Or at least I did, Iago and Abu hit me and Carpet covered us. Groaning we all fell forward.
Part two coming right up!