Chapter 2: Ruminations and Inspirations
From the Die-ary of Her Glorious Grace, Cleo de Nile,
I cannot believe how things are going around here. I woke up this morning with a terrible case of dry mouth and had to gargle at least three glasses before I was able to even scold Hissette for using my makeup again! She knows that she has her own! Also the herbs in my chest cavity are starting to wilt and I'm running out of a fresh supply. I'll have to get some more when I go out later.
Things weren't any less frustrating when the day really started. I still haven't been able to get this project moving, and the others aren't much help either. Frankie keeps going off on these tangents, and Clawdeen keeps spacing out over nothing. And Draculaura, our intrepid director, still can't seem to decide on a thing to do about anything. I would have expected a more assertive and decisive attitude from a nobleman's daughter. Then again, what can you expect from someone who never had to run an entire kingdom? That was thousands of years ago, but I guess it's like riding a palanquin. You never do forget how.
On the upside, a small part of the show was planned for us. Not by any of us ghouls, but it was certainly a welcome relief. I just hope Draculaura doesn't have any objections because of who we got the help from. Even if she did object, that would probably be the first major decision she's made so far.
Things seem to be coming to a head around here. If Draculaura doesn't make any executive decisions soon, we may need to instate a new project director. If that's the case, I think we all know who is the most qualified for it. Someone who is smart, leaderly, fashionable, and knows how to make others do her bidding.
Thanks for listening, Die-ary. Smooches!
The maul was a place that was always a welcome sight. The shops there were as varied as the customers who perused their wares. From the snacks available at Sick-Gory Farms, to the toys and gadgets at DOA Schwarz, to the medicines at Gangreen's, everything that was ever needed could be found there.
That is, almost everything.
Frankie hummed quietly to herself as she rotated a rack of clothes before her. Everything on it was so wonderful. So vibrant. She wasn't sure how good it would have looked on herself, but that wasn't what was important at the moment. The feeling that she got from looking at them didn't spark anything within her. Whatever that feeling was, she didn't feel like it was enough for what she needed to help facilitate their project.
"There has to be something that can give us ideas," Frankie said, partly to herself.
"We're not going to find it here," Cleo said for what felt like the hundredth time since they had entered that store.
Frankie looked a little bit harder, then saw a black sundress that she felt somehow spoke to her. "What about summer fashions? Everybody loves a killer look for vacation."
"At the beginnin' of the school year? I don't think so," Clawdeen said from the rack across from Frankie.
"Oh. Right. That does seem a little ironic," Frankie said.
"It's not ironic. It's a contradiction. Like how we're looking for inspiration in a store that has it's own outdatedness in it's name. Forever After 21 indeed. From what century?" Cleo said, examining one of the mannequins that was posed to model the clothes on display.
"That's not contradictory. It's futile," Clawdeen said.
"The Dark Ages were feudal. And it's certainly turning into a dark age around here if we can't even find one simple thing to kick off our project for when school starts," Cleo said, leafing through the racks.
They had been at this frustrating impasse for days by then. It felt like at the rate that they were going, their summer-long back to school project was going to be a bust by the time they actually had to go back to school. Still, Frankie wasn't ready to give up. She clutched the dress she had found and thought about the way that it had made her feel when she saw it. If she thought about it, she wouldn't have looked too good wearing it. But the feeling she got from how it looked was something that made her think about something else. Something deeper.
"Maybe we're just not thinking about it the right way? What if we just need to look at things from a different point of view? Like if we don't just look at how it looks?" Frankie suggested.
At the rack across from Frankie, Clawdeen's ears twitched. She had remembered discussing something similar to what Frankie was talking about only a few days ago. Since then, it had only been a lingering memory for her. Now it felt like something was speaking to her more clearly than it had before.
"Okay. Now sit still. I wanna see how your eyes react to the light."
In the darkened room, Wolf sat perfectly still as the flashlight app from an iCoffin shone in his eyes. Past the glare of the bright light, he could just make out the fanged smile of the figure holding the phone. He winced as the light lingered on his eyes, the sting of it irritating him terribly. However, the wielder of it seemed intent on taking her time.
"You have really pretty eyes. Anyone tell you that?" she said.
"Yes, actually," Wolf said, trying not to squint as the light intruded closer to his eye.
"Sorry about this. I just wanna see if there are any shadows or somethin' in there."
"That wouldn't be so bad. Witches and shadows go together like werewolves and the moon," Wolf said, pulling back from the light. He was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
The hand rubbed his shoulder for a moment, and he could feel it shaking slightly.
"Wow…That's…That's a beefy shoulder…" the owner of the hand shuddered happily.
"And it's off the market," Wolf plainly said, removing the hand.
Wolf's eyes were examined carefully by the light of the iCoffin. After a few more seconds, it blinked out.
"Okay. Your eyes look good. Now I gotta check your scalp next."
"Is that right?" Wolf dully asked.
"Don't worry. I won't mess up your hair."
Her hands eagerly drifted to Wolf's hair. The tips of her fingers tingled as she touched them to his hairline, filling her heart with delight. In a flash, she withdrew her hands and stifled an excited squeal.
"Did you forget how to do this part of the exam?" Wolf asked, an amused smirk on his lips.
"It's okay. I got this," she said, almost sounding sure of herself that time.
She raised her hands once more and boldly passed her fingers through Wolf's hair. She could feel his scalp prickling against her fingertips, and almost lost sight of her digits through his blonde locks. As she felt the softness of his hair against her hands, her golden eyes shone as brightly as her smile. She had never known such a pleasure before in all her years, and hoped to hold onto the memory for all her days.
The door was thrown open with a whoosh.
"What's goin' on here?" Clawdeen sternly asked, holding up the towel she was wearing with one hand.
"None o' your damn business!" Howleen said, pulling her fingers from Wolf's hair.
"You're sittin' on my bed with my boyfriend! That makes it my business!" Clawdeen said.
"Only business you got's with a blow dryer. Five towels, an' you still smell like a wet dog!" Howleen retorted.
"That's it!" Clawdeen growled, unwrapping the towel that was around her head and wringing it up at both ends.
Howleen yelped and jumped back as her sister snapped the towel like a whip. She growled at Clawdeen, baring her fangs in a display of dominant aggression. But her tough facade ended quickly when the tip of her nose was whipped.
Clawdeen snapped her towel again, but missed as Howleen rolled across the bed, holding her sore nose.
"Go on!-Get!-Skedaddle!" Clawdeen barked between whips.
Howleen jumped when her back was whipped as she ran out the door.
Clawdeen ran to the door, towel in hand and yelled after her sister, "That's right! Run away, puppy dog! He ain't your territory!"
Clawdeen slammed her door and turned around to see Wolf watching her with a wry smile.
"And you think I'm hard on Hoodude and Robecca," Wolf said, crossing his arms.
"Things are gonna get a lot harder for you if you don't tell me why you were lettin' my sister grope you! Now turn around," Clawdeen said, unfolding a privacy screen.
Wolf did as instructed and turned away from Clawdeen. The moment he did, Clawdeen disappeared behind the screen, and the towel she was wearing was draped over the top of it.
"She told me some 'story' she made up on the spot about how she was studying to be a nurse, and asked if she could practice on me. I thought it wouldn't hurt to humor her, since you were still in the shower," Wolf answered.
"All it takes for you is some phony story to start two-timin'? She don't even wanna be a nurse. All she ever talks about is how bad she wants to be a hairdresser," Clawdeen said from behind her screen.
"Well, if you didn't take so long–" Wolf said.
"Well, if you got here a bit later, instead o' comin' early–" Clawdeen retorted.
"Not early. On time," Wolf said.
"We agreed to meet at six," Clawdeen said, as each article of clothing she had draped over the top of the screen was pulled down.
"We said five, Clawdeen," Wolf said.
"Don't try wigglin' out o' this just 'cause you couldn't keep track o' time. I remember exactly you sayin' that we should leave at six."
"Funny. I remember you saying we should leave at five instead, because that was before your little brothers and sisters started getting lunar madness," Wolf said.
There was a brief silence before suddenly the privacy screen was pushed sharply aside by a half-dressed Clawdeen, which only meant that she hadn't properly accessorized herself yet.
"Baby, I'm so sorry. They didn't try to bite you, did they?" she asked.
"A few did," Wolf said, turning to face Clawdeen. "Clawd helped me hold them off. I tried using a binding spell on a few of them, but your parents didn't seem to like that."
"They just don't want you cursin' anyone in the pack is all. How'd you like it if one o' us startin' maulin' Hoodude?" Clawdeen asked, sitting down in front of her vanity mirror to start picking the right bracelet to wear with the right earrings.
Wolf smirked as he watched Clawdeen fuss over what to wear. With slow, deliberate steps, he stood himself behind Clawdeen and began rubbing her shoulders.
"I think if as many werewolves are as concerned about how they look when they're doing it as you are, I don't have to worry about Hoodude becoming a chew toy," he said.
Clawdeen wanted to tell him how fierce she could really be if she wanted to be, but the feel of Wolf's hands massaging her shoulders made her giggle too much on the inside. Her eyes closed as she sighed contentedly and slid her hand over Wolf's. And when she opened her eyes again she saw her reflection wearing a bracelet that she knew she hadn't yet put on. At least she thought she hadn't. When she looked at her wrist, she found that it was still bare.
"Don't worry. The mirror's just been enchanted. It'll stop when I take my shadow off of it," Wolf said, pointing to the frame around the glass, which was waving with darkness like patterns of heat. "I thought you'd like to see a preview of what you might want to wear."
"Thanks," Clawdeen giggled as she looked at herself. She then pointed to the rack where she kept her bracelets and said, "See how I look in this one."
Wolf waved his hand over the glass and the reflection changed to Clawdeen's desired image.
"That's it," Clawdeen said. She chose her bracelet and started pairing it with all of the accessories she knew complemented it.
As Wolf helped her pick out what she would wear, watching him perform his spells made something that she had been thinking about begin to resurface. When she and Wolf met, he was already quite an adept witch. Even if she hadn't known it at the time, Wolf was certainly working his magic and exuding his presence as a practitioner of witchcraft. And all of a sudden he had to leave to learn how to be a witch.
"Why do you gotta go, baby?" Clawdeen asked.
"I already told you that I'm leaving for my peregrination," Wolf answered.
"I know that. But why? You're already such a great witch. You do your services to other people, an' they're always happy with it. You know so much about usin' magic, an' you keep learnin' new stuff. How come you're doin' this?"
A quiet breath exhaled from Wolf as he tried to think of a way to explain to Clawdeen just why he had to leave on this journey. Being a witch wasn't something that was easy to explain to others who weren't involved in its practices. There was an essence that could only be experienced by the people who were, and it was that which Wolf decided might have been easiest to convey.
"Do you know what it is to be a werewolf?" Wolf asked.
"I think so. I'm kind of a veteran there," Clawdeen said, smiling though she was confused by the question.
"Right, but what does that mean? Anyone can howl at the moon and say they're a werewolf too. They can even say they feel like a wolf inside when the moon is full. But that doesn't make it true. Just look at all the normie lunatics who falsely confessed to being a werewolf during the German werewolf hunts," Wolf said.
Clawdeen nodded along, remembering reading something about that on the internet after learning about it from Wolf.
"There's something that you true werewolves have within you that makes you what you are. You just never think about that kind of thing because you don't have a reason to. Like, why does a wild animal like you have to fuss over what shoes she has to wear?"
Clawdeen shuffled her bare feet as she glanced briefly to the rack of shoes on her side of the room. Truthfully, she preferred being barefoot. It was only for the sake of style that she wore any footwear at all. Even though she was used to the feeling, something about it never felt quite right to her. As if even though she was wholly dressed, there was something that she had forgotten and left behind.
"That's kind of why I have to do this. Not just me. All witches do this when we reach a certain age. We learn what it takes to be a witch on a deeper level. Not just casting magic and helping people who need us. Anyone can do that and say they're a witch. It doesn't even take a witch to use sage and rosemary to get rid of ghosts or stray cats, since they're allergic to it. I'm going away to learn that core thing that a werewolf like you knows."
Wolf waited for Clawdeen to say anything. And when she remained silent, he scoffed quietly to himself. "I hope that makes sense," he said.
"Yeah. It kinda does," Clawdeen said, even though she wasn't sure why or how. She turned back to face her mirror and grabbed her brush. "Gimme a sec. I'll finish my hair an' makeup, then we can get out o' here."
Before the first stroke of her brush, Wolf gently pushed her hand back down. "Wait. Hold on," he said.
Clawdeen watched the reflection in the mirror and saw Wolf raise his hands up to the sides of her head. At first, she wasn't sure if it was just that enchantment he had performed before. She didn't have time to notice if his shadow had surrounded the frame when she felt Wolf's fingers gently dig into her hair and slowly drag through it. A warm tingle trickled down Clawdeen's neck to her shoulders as Wolf's fingers untangled her hair all the way to the end. And this process was repeated some ten times all around Clawdeen's head until Wolf allowed her to look at her reflection.
"Okay. Let it dry like that on its own," Wolf said.
"What? No comb or nothin'?" Clawdeen asked.
"I thought that you might like to try a new style," Wolf said, turning Clawdeen around in her chair, then appraising her look. "You know, I think it already makes you look a little bit more…wild."
Clawdeen's eyes seemed to sparkle in the dim light of her bedroom. She stood up and kissed Wolf's cheek then gently pushed him by his chest toward the door.
"Wait downstairs for me. I'll catch up in a bit," she said.
Wolf turned to leave, looking over his shoulder only once before he left out the door and walked back to the Wolf family den.
Before Clawdeen went to apply her makeup, she took one last look at her rack of shoes and hesitated only for a moment to put on the pair she had picked out beforehand.
Down in the den, Wolf took a seat on a chair that was across from the couch where Clawd was helping Howleen with her nose by applying a frozen piece of beef to it.
"What happened up there?" Clawd asked.
"Clawdeen," Wolf said.
"Ah," was all Clawd answered.
"Don't worry. All that time she spent studying to be a nurse should be paying off about now," Wolf said.
Howleen's ears drooped.
"We have to go now."
"Huh?" Clawdeen said as she was taken from her thoughts.
"There's nothing for us to work with here. Let's try some other store," Cleo said, hurrying toward the exit.
"But Draculaura said to look here," Frankie protested.
"She also said to use our best judgment. And I think that we can all agree that it's not in our best interest to stall our project any longer by staying in this fashion faux pas factory."
And with that Cleo continued her march out the door.
Neither Frankie nor Clawdeen said it, but they both agreed with Cleo and quickly followed her lead. The three of them walked the course of the maul, passing by the clothing shops that they had already browsed and looking for others that they had not yet visited. Except they had already visited any of the shops that they happened to see.
Cleo stopped walking and glanced to her side. "Hold on a moment," she said. "I need to go and get some things from The Scream Leaf before we continue." Then she left for the herbal shop.
"Does Cleo want to make tea later?" Frankie wondered.
"Nah. Don't tell her I told you this, but she needs to refresh her mummification a few times a year," Clawdeen answered.
"Oh! That's how she keeps up her looks. She preserves herself," Frankie said, the revelation dawning on her suddenly.
Cleo was just about to enter the shop when she bumped into whoever was coming out. So hard that she fell over backwards and would have landed on the floor if Frankie and Clawdeen hadn't caught her.
"How graceful. What did you do? Trip over your own bandages?" a silky voice purred.
The ghouls all grimaced as they recognized that distinct voice. Cleo was helped back to her feet, where she stood almost nose to nose with Toralei. On the very edge of her vision, Cleo could see Meowlody and Purrsephone flanking the feline felon.
"What in Ra's name do you want?" Cleo demanded.
"Please. Can't a ghoul shop for a little bit of catnip without being interrogated?" Toralei asked, showing the bag she was holding.
"Aren't you a bit young for that stuff?" Frankie asked.
"A fake ID goes a long way, little ghoul," Toralei smugly said, before turning back to Cleo. "What about you? Looking for something to cover up that scent of decay?"
"I'll have you know I'm here for a refill of my natural ointments," Cleo said. "Now why don't you hurry off to some toy shop. I'm sure you'll find a suitable replacement for your lost dolly."
Toralei's eyes flashed at Frankie, who was grinning as smugly as Toralei had been before. And she watched as the ghouls walked into the herb shop before she took her leave. But not before she left them with her last word, "I guess I'll wish you luck on your little project. How far along are you, exactly?"
The ghouls froze mid-step and turned to face Toralei.
"How do you know about that?" Cleo asked.
"I follow the Monster High Frightbook page. Just like everybody else in school. It sounds quaint, I have to say."
Meowlody and Purrsephone mewed in agreement.
"Damn you, Ghoulia! Couldn't you have waited to announce it?!" Cleo angrily thought to herself.
"What do you mean 'quaint?' This is gonna be one o' the biggest things ever to hit New Salem," Clawdeen said.
"Pfft! Come on. Really? Another fashion show? Her royal hiney here already hosted a half dozen of those over the last school year. And it's always the same. A trip to the clawditorium to celebrate how unique we monsters are with our freaky flaws and unique uniqueness. Old hat. And I don't just mean on the runway," Toralei said.
A low growl rumbled from Clawdeen's throat as her fur began to bristle.
"Look, we have a lot of stuff to do. Unless you have something helpful to offer us, why don't we just go our separate ways?" Frankie said, stepping next to Clawdeen.
"Fine. Have it your way has-beens," Toralei said, motioning for Meowlody and Purrsephone to follow her. "Although…"
"Although, what?" Frankie asked.
Cleo surreptitiously gripped Frankie's arm, silently scolding her for biting Toralei's lure.
"You know what would make your show much more interesting?"
"We don't wanna hear it," Clawdeen said.
As if Clawdeen said nothing, Toralei said, "If you held it right out at the front of Monster High."
"What?" Cleo asked, perplexed by the proposal.
"Oh, it's just an idea. But if it was held at the front, you might raise school spirits a little bit more when everyone is greeted by a major reception with mingling, hors d'oeuvres and a show that's only pushed slightly into the background while everyone gets reacclimated to the school year," Toralei said. "But that's just what I'd do."
And that was her last word before she left with her friends.
"'Quaint?'" Meowlody asked.
"'Reacclimated?" Purrsephone added.
"I just picked it up somewhere," Toralei answered.
As the ghouls looked through the shelves at the herb shop, none of them said a word for a long while. Not until Frankie wondered aloud, "Did what Toralei say about holding the show at the front of the school not sound like a bad idea?"
"Indeed not," Cleo reluctantly agreed.
"Should we…Should we do that?" Frankie asked.
"We're gonna need some equipment to set up the stage out front. An' someone to cater the snacks, if we're gonna do that," Clawdeen said.
"We'll see to it. While Draculaura takes care of things on her end, we'll find a way to get those other things done. In the meantime, I need to get my treatments," Cleo said.
As they helped Cleo with her shopping, Clawdeen began thinking of ways to help the project along. Robecca, who was now in Europe, was usually who they called to help with mechanical projects such as construction. But she was usually helped by Venus and Rochelle. And Deuce knew more about culinary arts than almost any other monster she knew. Even Toralei might have had an idea or two more to share. Maybe it wouldn't be as hard as she thought.
A/N: Yeah, right. Anyone ever try to put on a show like this? It's not easy. Even just being involved in a minor role is a lot of work. I once sang at a friend's wedding, and even that was a whole production. Just think what the ghouls are in for.
It looks like the reins are beginning to be taken from Draculaura. The others are taking things into their own hands and making decisions for her. That's probably not going to go over well with Draculaura. Especially since Toralei's involved.
We've also seen a bit of what happened further before this story started. Seems like Clawdeen had a date planned before Wolf left. Will we be seeing more of that, I wonder? We also heard mention of how Clawdeen prefers not to wear shoes. According to Clawdeen's diary (as in the merchandise), she is habitually barefoot and only wears shoes for style. Besides that, she avoids footwear whenever possible. And what about her conversation with Wolf? Could that be what she was thinking about back in Cleo's bedroom?
For anyone who is confused by Cleo needing herbs so urgently, it's something else from real world history. The mummification process involved removing all of the organs of the deceased, except for the heart. The hollow body was then filled with herbs and spices, which were believed to aid the preservation of a body during mummification. It's kind of a weird image to think of Cleo being stuffed with thyme, aloe and cloves, isn't it?
The names of the shops that are mentioned in this chapter are based on ones from real life. Hickory Farms, FAO Schwarz, Walgreens and Forever 21 are all referenced. The Green Leaf is a local herb shop from around where I live, so don't worry if you don't get its monster parody name. Also, the name 'Forever After 21' is meant to sound like something from Everafter High. That's probably why Cleo dislikes it so much.
One last announcement: I wrote a book. It's called Secret Seekers: The Hidden Girl. It's the first in what I hope is a series of children's chapter books about a group of teenage girls who make it their mission to discover the unusual things that exist in their fantastic world. It's heavily inspired by things like Monster High and Thea Stilton, so I hope you'll like it as much as this story. You can buy it at the Lulu website. Just search the title and it'll pop up there. Thanks, everyone.