Song: Princes and Frogs, Superchick
Focal Character(s): Anise
Once, when she was little, Anise kissed a frog.
She found it in the garden outside the cathedral and spent the better part of an hour stalking it between the flower beds. Finally, she got the angle just right and pounced, and it was just then that her mother had walked up behind her.
"Anise, what are you doing with that frog? Put it back this instant!"
"But Mama-"
"No buts. Put it back and come wash up for dinner." Mama started toward the cathedral, and Anise looked back at the frog. She glanced back to Mama, then very very quickly kissed the top of the frog's head. Gross. She probably had frog slime on her lips. The frog wriggled out of her grip, hit the ground with a croak, and hopped off. Still a frog. No such luck.
"Anise! Come now."
With a last glance back at the flowers where the frog had disappeared, Anise reluctantly caught up to her mother and came inside. One of these days, she'd find her prince. Then she wouldn't have to worry any more.
No, she knew now that she'd been wrong. She didn't need to find a prince. Princes took too much time, and she had an Order to reform. She smoothed her dress, making sure to keep her head straight so the tiara didn't fall. She glanced over at Florian, a green splotch behind the fake well, and smiled. The children gazed up at her with wide eyes as she turned to them. It wouldn't hurt to start small.
"Once upon a time..."