The Pauper Princess and the Born Legacy, Part 3
Here's Part 2.
I'm so long-winded, even my fanfictions have chapters!
The Story So Far:
-The Mousehearts brought hostess gifts for Agatha, Violetta, Zeetha and Sanaa.
-Only the first two were present for their, uh, presents.
-Dinner and conversation were served.
-Mara accepted Agatha's invitation for after-dinner wine and snacks
I hope the actual chapter was more interesting than that sounded.
Ah, here's some legal disclaimer stuff:
"This story is not approved by, sponsored by or affiliated with Studio Foglio LLC or Airship Entertainment."
The Pauper Princess FanFiction Theatre Presents:
The Pauper Princess and the Born Legacy, Part 3!
It was decided to be a Ladies Night in the den, so Agatha was accompanied by Violetta and Snaug, who gave a goodnight kiss to Moloch. Violetta pretended not to notice. Chairs were arranged in a semi-circle in front of the fireplace, which was blazing away. Snaug was tasked with bringing up the wine bottles and glasses for the evening. Violetta curled up in her chair and brooded.
"The dress really does look nice on you," said Agatha.
"I know," said Violetta.
A silence followed.
"You still don't trust them," said Agatha.
"I can't help thinking they're trying to curry favor or ply us with nice things," said Violetta.
"Well..." said Agatha, looking back at the doorway, "She'll be back any minute, so at least try to smile or something. And use your mastery of body language to find chinks in her armor."
"You got that right." Violetta uncurled her legs a little and shifted positions. "Even if - All right, even if there's nothing sinister there, and all of this is sincere niceness, she hasn't been a Spark very long. We don't know if she has total control over her devices yet. Like that... whatever that thing is that she gave you."
"The air purifier?"
"The walking air purifier," said Violetta. "I say keep it locked in your workshop so you can disassemble it later. Find out if there are any surprises."
"I already examined it."
"Two years ago."
"Oh, have it your way," said Agatha. "I'll check it again in the lab. But then, I probably would've, anyway."
"Ahhh, dere hyu iz!!"
Agatha almost fell out of her chair, then recognized the rough voice of Mamma Gkika: barkeep, herbalist, and Jäger General. Mamma sauntered into the room, every needle-sharp tooth in sight on her massive grin. She was followed by more of Agatha's favorite Jägers, affectionately known as "The Boys:" Dimo, Maxim and Ognian.
"How iz tings, mistress?" said Mamma. "Gots enny schleep zince de potty?"
"Like a baby, General," said Agatha.
"Pah! Just Mamma now," she said with a wink.
"What brings you all here?" said Violetta. "Isn't it karaoke night at the bar?"
"Dot's tomorrow," said Gkika. "Und dey's late, but dey finally hef hyu anniversary gift!"
"Aww, you didn't have to get me anything," said Agatha. "I guess tonight is Gift Night, huh?"
"Vat?"
"Never mind," said Agatha, getting up from her chair. Violetta followed. The Boys proudly pulled out what could only be a hat box. All three showed as many teeth in their collective grins as Mamma had. Agatha took the box and was surprised by its weight. She grinned while opening the top and pulling out the hat within, which resembled a fez.
"A hat," said Agatha. "Of course. Thanks, everyone!"
"No, no, mistress," said Dimo. "Hyu gots to vear it! Iz a very special hat!"
"Iz a Heterodyne hat!" said Maxim.
"What do you mean?" said Agatha, putting it on. As soon as she had done so, the hat vibrated, whirred and hummed, and the entire piece folded open. Part of it flattened into a platform, revealing tiny, mechanized figures depicting humans, creatures and machinery alike. They were already in motion, reenacting some scene from Heterodyne history. The latest Heterodyne was panicking.
"Ahh, what is it doing?? What's going on??"
Mamma and the Boys wiped away tears. "Iz byootiful!" said Mamma.
"Violetta, what is it doing??"
"That is so cool," said Violetta quietly.
"That does not help me!! Where's a mirror?" said Agatha, and started to turn, but Mamma stopped her.
"Nein!" she said. "No movink until all iz done!"
"But I don't even know what it's doing!"
She yelped when a tiny cannon shot as part of its battle scene. A little puff of smoke wafted upwards. Some of the mechanized figures fell over, and figures on the other side raised their arms in triumph. Then they froze, and all the parts moved closer to each other, and the sides of the hat raised up until it was back in its original form.
"Is it done??" said Agatha. "Is it safe to take off?"
"That was amazing!" said Violetta. "Where did you get this? Who made this?"
"Malicio Heterodyne made it," said Mamma. "I served vit him a long time ago. Den I remembered, he gots a nice hat, but it gots schtuck in an old museum in Hapsburg. Pipple dere din know vat it did! But hy remembered, und sent dem to get it!"
"Really?" said Agatha. "It was in a museum all this time, and nobody ever put it on?"
"Yas," said Mamma. "Und de best part iz it gots different scenes! Boyz, hyu know how many?"
"No, Mamma."
"Ah, hyu'll find out," she said. "Just keep vearing it, sveethot!"
"Thank you all," said Agatha. "This truly is a nice hat. Now where's a mirror when you need one?"
"I don't think there is one in here," said Violetta.
With an impish grin, Agatha put the hat on Violetta and stepped back. They waited, but nothing happened. Agatha tried adjusting it, but caught part of it on Violetta's hair.
She and Violetta were carefully removing it, when Mara walked in. She was all smiles until spotting the group of Jägers. She yelped... and by the time her yelp was done, she was standing in a battle-ready stance, to the surprise, then amusement of the quartet. She very quickly realized that her reflexes had put her in big trouble.
"Oh, crap," she whimpered as the quartet inched their way towards her, half of their faces taken up by fang-filled grins. She shrank back and took baby steps backwards while slowly relaxing her fighting stance into as non-threatening a posture as she could manage. She struggled to keep her breathing at a normal pace.
Suddenly Agatha was at her side and partly between her and the Jagers. She put an arm around Mara's waist.
"Mara, glad you made it!" she said. Mara was shivering, and forced herself to look at Agatha, but just managed a glance before shifting attention back to the Jägers. "I see you've met my friends."
"...Fr--?"
"I'd like you all to meet my friend, Princess Mara Mouseheart of the kingdom of Guildern," said Agatha. "She and her family are staying with us a few days. And Mara, please meet my very good friend General Gkika-" Gkika snapped her boots together and bowed - "And 'my guys,' Dimo, Maxim, and Ognian." The three Jägers each bowed their heads quickly and muttered polite greetings.
Dimo snapped his fingers. "Hy knew it!" Mara flinched. "Iz hyu! Guys, dis iz de Prinzess from de boring kestle vit de creepy-heppy pipple!"
"Yas, und terrible hats!" added Maxim.
Ognian threw his arms wide. "Hyu remember os, yas, Prinzess?"
"What?" she said, still shivering. "Wh-what?"
"Ve vas de big prize-vinners," said Maxim. "Ve schlept in de kestle und palled vit de Prince."
"Oh, my Go-"
"Hold on," said Agatha. "You won that contest, too? You??"
"Ve din tell hyu?" said Dimo "Ach, so sorry, sveethot! Ve been wantink to tell hyu, but ve kept gettink, hyu know, de side-tracked!"
Mara pointed a shaky finger at them and swallowed. "It was you," she said. "All three of you. I remember now."
Ognian inhaled deeply. "Yah, dis gots to be her!" he said. The others murmured in agreement and surrounded her, leaning closer to start sniffing at her. "Ooo, nize..." "Yas, iz nize..." Curious, Mamma Gkika joined them.
Mara stiffened and pulled herself in, trying in vain to shrink into nothingness. "Oh, God, not again!" she squeaked, and whimpered helplessly, growing louder, until Agatha started pulling them away.
"Hey, stop that!" she said. "Can't you see you're scaring her? What's wrong with you?"
"But, mistress-"
"No scaring my guests," she said. "That's my new rule here."
"But, mistress-"
"B-b-b-b-!" she said. "No scaring my guests!"
"Yas, mistress. Please forgive us."
"Forgiven," she said, pointing her nose in the air. She gently pulled Mara from the huddle, who seemed unwilling to unclench her body. "Mamma," she said. "Boys. I really appreciate your gift. I'm going to have hours of fun with it!"
"H'our pleasure, sveethot!" said Mamma, with a bow. "Come on, boyz, ve gots odder tings to do! Say gute nacht to de mistress und Miss Violetta und de Fräulein... und de Prinzess."
"Gute nacht, mistress. Miss Violetta. Fräulein. Prinzess. Heppy Anniversary, mistress!"
The Jägers took their leave, stealing glances at "de Prinzess" as they departed, and murmuring amongst themselves. Mara was staring at nothing, her body still stiff. Agatha touched her shoulder; she yelped and flinched.
"Whoa, hey, hey," said Agatha gently. "It's okay. They're gone now. You know, the Jägers look fierce, and they love intimidating people, but they're absolutely loyal to me. They would never hurt anyone close to me."
"That's... good to know," said Mara, glancing back.
"So... they really won a trip to Castle Mouseheart? Those three??"
Mara again glanced back at the doorway. "Yes. It was definitely them. Kelvin was their host, not I. But I was really remembering something else... Um... You know, it's not important. I'll be fine."
"Maybe you should just go to bed," said Agatha. "We don't have to have the wine tonight. You had a long trip and are probably more tired than you think."
Snaug, who had brought up a case of different wines and had finished setting up everything, heard this and made a noise in protest.
"Oh, no, please, I would love to have a glass," said Mara. "But just one little one. I'm - nursing - but I pumped out some ahead of time for the nanny to use."
"Ah," said Agatha. "Well, if you insist, we're happy for you to join us. Oh! Let me show you what the Jägers brought me as an anniversary gift. One of my ancestors made it! This should cheer you up. Here, try it."
She took the hat from Violetta and started putting it on Mara. Violetta warned, "Agatha, it probably only works for you-"
As soon as the hat was on her head, it whirred, hummed, and began opening up into a new mechanized scene. Mara whimpered again, then closed her eyes, clenched her fists tight, and screamed.
*******************************
Agatha lightened the mood by helping Mara finalize their plans for the next day. Agatha would give her and Kelvin a "greatest hits" tour of the castle, while Snaug - who had happily volunteered - and Moloch would give Daphne and the children a tour of Mechanicsburg. Isabel would very likely have enjoyed a castle tour, but it was decided that she needed to stay with her nanny and brothers.
During the talk Mara was clearly recovering from her earlier trauma of the Jäger-pileup. As Agatha named some of the rooms and areas they'd see, Mara became more and more excited, climaxing at the thought of visiting Agatha's workshop. By the time that room was mentioned, Mara was giggling, squirming and clapping like a child.
"Ooo! Ooo! Is it big?" she said. "Does it have every tool that there ever was? Does it have redundant power sources? NoDon'tTellMe! We'll see it tomorrow, right?"
"Of course!" said Agatha. "But now I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed. It's a great lab, but it probably won't match your imagination."
"Oh, it doesn't matterI'mSureI'llLoveIt!"
"Hm," said Agatha. "I like your attitude!"
Mara was careful to take only small sips from her glass of aged bordeaux from the Rathbone Vineyards. It was an excellent wine, but one was her limit, so it needed to last for both the taste and the conversation. Her biggest challenge was keeping the well-meaning Snaug from trying to top it off. She was aware of Violetta watching her as she drank, but kept it to herself.
"So, Princess," said Violetta, curled up again in her chair and swirling her pinot blanc, "You know, it occurred to me. There isn't a lot that we know about you."
Agatha stifled a groan, which got a quick glare from Violetta. Mara stared into her glass while pondering her reply. "What sort of things do you mean?" she said.
"Nothing fancy," said Violetta, uncurling herself a little. Mara could tell that she was very good at appearing relaxed while still in a position to act, defensively or offensively. Her assistant back home, Heather, had taught her about this. "Just basic things, really. Where you're from. What your life was like before meeting the Prince. Your family life. Things like that."
"Wait!" said Snaug. "I think I can tell where you're from! But first, could you say one more thing? Say this: 'I had a farm in Africa.' "
" 'I had a farm in Africa?' "
"That's it!" said Snaug. "Denmark, right?"
"Hm, yes," said Mara. "Originally. Well done!"
"I can tell by the accent. It's really faint, but I can tell."
"You've been there?" said Mara.
"No," said Snaug. "But I've met people from there." She noticed Violetta glaring her way, and shrank back a little. "Sorry, did I interrupt?"
"Not that I know of?" said Mara, looking to the other women. "Violetta, how does the dress fit? Is it comfortable? I hope you don't mind my saying, but blue is a good color for you."
Violetta glanced down at her dress, then back up. "Yeah, and purple," she said. "But-"
Agatha grabbed her arm. "Do you still have the long gloves I gave you?"
"Of course," said Violetta. "What does-?"
"You should wear those, and this dress, and new heels the next time we're at the opera!" she said. "Perfection! And all the boys would be looking your way."
"Hey!" said Violetta, compressing almost into a ball in her chair. "Let's not go crazy."
"I agree that you'd be quite fetching," said Mara with a warm smile. Violetta glared back, so she withdrew and turned her attention to Agatha. "Did you mention opera?" asked Mara. "Do you know of any new ones? Or could you recommend a good one? None of the companies go to Guildern, so we need to travel to every show. Kelvin has made 'The Storm King' an annual tradition for us, and honestly, I'm tired of it. I've seen it four times and still don't understand a thing about it."
Agatha shrugged. "Lots of symbolism and allegory, really."
"I know," said Mara. "I still end up spending all my time studying the clanks and theatrical effects."
"The last one we saw was 'The Clockwork Princess,' " said Agatha. "You might enjoy that. It amused me, anyway."
"Then I hope there's a touring company of it," said Mara. "What's its story? Or will I be more interested in the stage effects instead?"
Agatha pondered her answer. "It's loosely based on a true story," she said. "But then, so is 'The Storm-' "
"You know what, we're getting off topic here," said Violetta, waving her hands about. She snatched up her wine, then pointed at Mara. "I was asking about you, remember?"
"You were?" said Mara. "When? Oh-Oh... I thought we were done with that. Isn't this what women do, anyway? Change the subject constantly?"
"Not this woman."
"Uh.... Well, all right, then," said Mara, shrugging towards Agatha. "I didn't realize your question was so serious. Except that I don't remember what it was."
"Your pre-Prince life," said Violetta. "What was it? What were you before the 'Pauper Princess?'"
Mara shrugged. "An actual pauper," she said. "A commoner."
"Which is 'common' knowledge," said Violetta. "I'm curious about the uncommon knowledge."
"I'm curious, as well," said Mara. "Why such a sudden, intense interest? Have I-" she looked at Agatha - "Have I offended somehow? Have I done or said anything to arouse suspicion?"
"It's not that at all," said Agatha.
"Look at this from my perspective," said Violetta. "My job is Agatha's safety, and by extension, the castle's."
"I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF, THANK YOU," said the castle. The sudden intrusion of the booming baritone startled Mara.
"Oh, my God ," she whispered, then composed herself. "Does it do that often?"
"More or less," said Agatha. "Thank you, castle! We know!"
"Look at it from my perspective, Princess," Violetta repeated, "When we were at your castle, you blurted out things about us that we hadn't told you. Not on those 'get to know you' forms nor in our conversation. Like that I was a smoke knight, and that Zeetha is royalty. And I think you mentioned Sanaa having an 'adventurous brother.' "
"Othar Tryggvassen!" said Snaug. "Gentleman Adventurer!"
"Great Galileo, woman!" said Agatha. "Are you trying to summon him??"
"Ahhh, I'm sorry I'm sorry!" said Snaug, looking about in panic. "I'll be quiet now! Sh! Sh!"
"Aaand back to our show," Violetta continued. "You realize that maybe those were things we didn't want public? Maybe not even to our friends?"
Mara's face paled, and her expression dropped. "Your point is well made," she said quietly. "I was overtaken by my pride, gloating in the knowledge I'd uncovered. You imply that I did a terrible disservice to you; please say it isn't so?"
"Violetta, dial it back, all right?" said Agatha. "Mara, she's just being dramatic. Of course we knew all that about each other."
"I am making a point," said Violetta. "It makes sense that we were vetted, being guests at a royal castle and all. A security sweep; I understand that. So you understand that I tried the same for you. And came up blank. You don't seem to have a past, Princess."
"Please; it's Mara," she said. "We're past formalities by now, yes? And as for..." She trailed off, then sighed. "I do understand your frustration. I admit that I've... we've gone to certain lengths to keep my past private, but not from sinister motive. Merely because... it's not something I wish to relive. I'm not a very good storyteller, so I have no talent for making my past life anything other than... well, a mood-killer. My past is... unpleasant, and I'd rather not trouble you with it."
"It's no trouble," said Violetta. "Believe me."
"You know," said Mara, finishing off the last of her wine and setting down the glass, "It's a little bit interesting to me that, because I married into royalty, that makes me a public figure, and yet, I've not been the target of gossip that I was warned I'd be. Maybe that's what the 'Pauper Princess' was really about. Show people a 'real-life Cinderella' story, and they're content with that. I know that it helped me adjust. I'd much rather that people think, 'Oh, there's that Princess who used to be a pauper' than 'Oh, there's that Princess whose father used to beat her every d--' " She stopped abruptly and smiled sadly. "You people have quite a knack for coaxing secrets out of me."
"Mara-"
"I did say it was a mood-killer," she said, reaching for her empty wine glass, then awkardly putting it back. Again Snaug tried to refill it, and was gently rebuffed. "I'll sum it up so as not to bore you," she said. "Father was a mercenary. He wanted a son. He got me instead. He raised me to be a mercenary, anyway. And when I made mistakes or... resisted... his orders, he-- You know, I'll just show you," she said, stood up, and began removing her coat. Underneath, her blouse was sleeveless. As she removed the coat, all but Violetta's eyes went wide at the sight of both of Mara's arms, covered in scars, discolorations and burn marks. Violetta had noticed first the strong definition to her arm muscles. The girl exercised hard. Mara sat back down and held out her arms casually. She allowed Agatha to cautiously examine the scars.
"You're a construct..." she said. Now Mara did pull away.
"I am not a construct," she said. "They're wounds. All of them. Compliments of my father. And a few others, once I got onto a real battlefield. But most of them from him. Definitely most."
"Who was your father?" asked Violetta. "I thought he might have been a smoke knight. Don't think I didn't notice the stance you took when the Jägers were here. That's a standard fighting stance for a smoke knight."
"I'm sure I would know if I were one myself," said Mara. "As for who he was, no one of any fame, if that's what you mean. Just... Olaf." She grimaced while saying the name. "He was abominable at most things, but at fighting? Unequaled. Well... mostly, until..." She trailed off again. "I suppose you could say that his other defining trait was his hatred of Sparks. I learned that at a very young age."
"Why did he hate Sparks?" asked Agatha.
Mara shrugged. "His own insecurities, I suppose. He wasn't what one would refer to as an intellectual. Maybe Sparks intimidated him. The reason is moot, because the end result was the same. I was about five when he caught me building a device, and-- Well, let's say that he wasn't very encouraging of that part of me. The only thing he wanted me to do, was fight. He taught me... I lost count of how many different styles and techniques. And I either mastered them, or..." She indicated her arms again. "That's just my arms, by the way. I'm not going to strip down and show you everything."
"Please don't," said Agatha. "And Kelvin has seen these?"
Mara gave her a Look. Agatha blushed. "Actually," said Mara, "I suspect that he finds them... attractive, somehow. But if that's true, bless him for it, right? As for your 'smoke knight' suspicion, that stance happens to be the most natural for me. Sorry if I disappointed you, not being in the order and all that."
"How could-" said Agatha, then stopped and covered her mouth for a moment. "How could someone do that to his own daughter? It's madness. It's horrible."
Mara smiled sadly, then pulled on her coat and rebuttoned it.
Violetta shrugged. "My Lady, it's not like you haven't seen the horrors of the world firsthand."
"Don't be so callous," said Agatha sharply. "This is our friend's life."
"It's the past," said Mara. "Yes, it was unpleasant. I don't recall if I mentioned it to any of you, but about four years ago I renounced violence. Living with him, there was no escaping it. And even after his... death, it followed me everywhere I went. Dragging me into its darkness and cold every chance it could. So much fear and hatred. Eating me alive, from the inside. Thank God I had begun to turn away from it by the time I met Kelvin. Mostly because I couldn't find much work as a mercenary, so I had to work at any other job I could find. Being away from death helped, it turned out. And then Kelvin-- Oh, you already know the 'Pauper Princess' story, so I'll skip it. But when I decided to renounce violence, I thought it would be like throwing a switch, and I'd be done. But it's not. It's just as much work as anything worthwhile, I suppose. Habits linger. Prejudices hold on tight against all reason. 'Buttons' still exist that can push me into dark moods. Oh, I should assure you, I have never - never - raised a hand in anger against my children. I just want you to know that."
"I understand," said Agatha.
"This is going to sound awfully trite," said Mara. "It embarrasses me to even say it, but I work very hard to surround myself with Love. What I mean is, family, friends, doing and saying things that fill my heart with joy, and peace. So... there's no room for darkness, is my hope. I know it sounds maudlin and treacly, but I don't know how else to put it."
"You described it just fine," said Agatha.
"That's good," said Mara, and was quiet.
"You said that your father died?" said Violetta.
"Er, yes," said Mara. "I think. Do you mind if I ask something?" she said to Agatha. "About-" She glanced again at the doorway, then leaned closer to Agatha - "The Jägermonsters? First, what do they prefer to be called? I would hate to, er, offend them with the wrong term."
" 'Jäger' is fine," said Agatha."And they don't offend easily. Unless you mess with their hats."
"I'll bear that in mind," said Mara. "You say that they're loyal to you, but what of the time before you claimed your inheritance? What did they... do, exactly?"
"Most served the Baron," said Agatha. "And some became what you could call 'wild' Jägers."
"I see," said Mara. She glanced back again. "You wouldn't happen to know if any of the Jägers here tonight have been to Denmark, would you?"
Agatha shrugged. "You'd have to ask them. Or I could, on your behalf."
"Thank you," said Mara. "But there's no hurry. Just... something I'm curious about."
"Is there... something I should know about them?" asked Agatha.
Mara waved her hands. "It's not important," she said. "Before your time, anyway. 'Wild' Jägers, as you say." She arose from her chair and stretched and yawned. "I hope you don't mind if I take my leave now? I shouldn't be the one sleeping in tomorrow."
The other women arose from their chairs. Mara turned first to Snaug and held both her hands. "It's wonderful to meet you, dear Snaug," she said, then pulled her into an embrace, to the Fräulein's surprise. "And thank you again for offering to give my family a city tour."
"Oh, my pleasure, your Highness!"
"It's Mara," she corrected. She turned her attention to Violetta, who offered a hand.
"Nice seeing you again," she said. "Thanks for the new clothes."
"Oh, a man's hug," said Mara. While still shaking hands, she pulled Violetta into a half-hug and patted her back twice. It was not quite what Violetta had intended, but did not offend.
Agatha's turn now. "I'm fine with a 'woman's hug,' " she said, and met Mara's warm and long embrace with multiple, gentle pats on the back.
Mara said no more to the women as she waved sleepily and made her way back to the bedrooms. After a few moments the three women reseated themselves.
"What do you think now?" said Agatha, smiling slyly.
Violetta took another sip from her glass and smacked her lips in thought. "How about this? If, by the time they leave, there have been no attempts on your life, no damage to the castle, nor attempts at overthrowing Mechanicsburg, I'll owe you a buck."
"A buck."
"I don't want losing to be painful for you," said Violetta. "I'm being very courteous here, m'lady."
"You are impossible," said Agatha.
"You know that you'd lose that bet. Shake?"
"Huh," said Agatha, shaking on it. "A buck, then. Done and done."
Here's Part 4.