The Pauper Princess and the Way of the Trilobite - Part 2
Part one is here.
What: a fanfiction for Girl Genius, featuring my literary stand-in and stunt double Mara
Time: since I have no idea how to incorporate the "time jump" storyline into this, the time is approximately four months after the events of The Pauper Princess and the Born Legacy, and goes from there.
How AU is it?: If you read part one, you'd know I went there. No, not there, but there! It's all very clear.
The story so far!
--Agatha may or may not be suffering from a chronic case of Peacetime
--She and Princess Mara had a lovely telephone conversation. If my research is correct, there are/were no telephones in the GG-verse (Note: I am terrible at research)
--Even GG-verse schools put on class plays!
Fear this; if you dare!
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 Way of the Trilobite - Part 2!
The day of the class play Isabel had been dropped off extra-early, as had most of the other children, and Mara was also needed to help with last-minute setups of her contributions. Her typically sardine-packed schedule had been freed up some because of the event, but she still finished preparations and doled out instructions as quickly as possible to squeeze in some of her own work before showtime.
**
Prince Kelvin found her in her secret, underground workshop ("secret" as in "known to almost everyone at the castle"), hunched over one or more "entertainments" projects, muttering to herself. As he approached her from behind, a scan of the room told him that she had made a desperate effort to tidy up, though it really just resulted in a lot of her excess Stuff being tossed into crates and boxes and stacked on shelves, then along the walls after shelf space ran out. The fact that she was in the Madness now told him that she had been distracted by something while cleaning, and it had gone downhill from there.
Heather, Mara's all-around assistant who also pulled duties as a bodyguard and exercise partner, once tried to throw a feint at her mistress to pull her out of the Madness. Unfortunately she learned the hard way that it was a place of heightened awareness, resulting in faster mental and physical reactions than usual. At that time Guildern had not yet procured a Spark Royal Physician, so Heather's recuperation had been long and tedious. That she still insisted on working for the Princess made Mara wonder if Heather didn't have a bit of a masochistic streak to her. Also, that was yet another incident for which Mara would likely never stop apologizing. Pacifism had been a long and difficult journey for her, and every misstep was a reminder of how far to go she still had.
Kelvin's method to pull her from the Madness was a bit more effective and resulted in no bodily harm: he stepped beside her, said her name, and if that didn't get her attention, he spun and bent her backwards into a dip, kissing her until the muttering and "air-repairs" died away. For such occasions she either rested her hands on his back or let the arms fall limply to the side. Either way, the Madness would pass. Kelvin strongly suspected that she deliberately stayed in the Madness in order to receive such a grand, sweeping gesture, but an argument would be moot. It was not as if he disliked kissing his wife in grand-opera style.
After half a minute, he helped her back into a vertical position. "Are you all right?"
As always it took her a moment to regain her bearings. "What?" she said dazedly. "Er, yes, I'm wonderful. Why do you ask?"
"You're not this worked up because of the play, are you?" he said. "Would it be... that we might possibly have a very important visitor today?"
"No," she said emphatically, but not meeting his gaze. "I mean, I'm just... I was just cleaning. You know that I'm a nervous person in general and sometimes I get-- Besides, I don't know if she's coming. She hasn't used the, um... the 'eldec.' No, not that. You called it the 'talkbox.' I like that better. She hasn't used it. She hasn't contacted me."
He put an arm around her. "Maybe she doesn't know how to use it?" he said. She threw him a Look. "Ahh, yes, stupid comment," he said, then shrugged. "Maybe it'll be a surprise? Either way, not important, right? Come on. The play's in an hour, and we need to assemble the family."
He started for the door, but she stayed in place. "Honey," she said/sighed. "It's not worrying about her coming to watch a kiddie play, it's... There are certain expectations of me that-- haven't been fulfilled. And I don't know what to do or say about it."
Kelvin pondered his answer a moment. "I know what you mean," he said. "And I remind you that it is not entirely your decision. This kingdom was founded on the tenets of peace. We haven't had weapons since-- ever, even during the War of the Other! In some ways, we flourished during it, as a haven for people escaping conflict. So maybe... revealing your family heritage won't bring trouble?"
Mara forced a laugh. "Honey, we've talked about this. For once, I agree with her: just that name brings trouble. And I couldn't live with myself if something happened to people I care about, just because of that name!"
Kelvin managed to catch her eye, and showed the same smile that had melted her heart years ago. It still worked. "Let's stop worrying about this right now," he said, "And have fun at our daughter's big theatrical debut. All right?" He kissed her temple and finally drew out a smile.
*************************
Now topside, the royal couple hurried to the castle in order to pick up their nanny Daphne, their toddler son Edward, and their imageograph for recording the play. The youngest son Silas would stay with his nurse, for he was far too young to enjoy or understand the purpose of sitting still for long periods of time.
Solomon, their majordomo, stepped from the main entrance just as the Mousehearts arrived. He stood at attention and cleared his throat.
"Your Highnesses," he said in his booming, clear voice perfect for announcements over noisy crowds, "Your timing is most fortuitous. Allow me to present Her Ladyship Most High, Agatha Heterodyne of Mechanicsburg! And companion."
Agatha emerged from the shadows of the doorway, all smiles. Kelvin greeted her first with his own smile and a warm embrace, then held out his hand gallantly towards the doorway, presumably to coax out Violetta. After an awkward pause, he heard his wife.
"Dear," she said. He looked her way; she was pointing behind him. And there stood Violetta, who had somehow... Well, it didn't matter. Without missing a beat, he bowed and took up her hand for a kiss of greeting.
As if having practiced, they all turned at once towards Mara, who had the expression of an acrophobic who was about to try hang-gliding for the first time. Agatha spread her arms wide again and seemed mildly surprised when Mara hesitated, but finally her cousin smiled back and threw herself into a big bear hug.
Mara spoke quietly. "Thank you so much for coming. I hope you won't be disappointed."
Agatha was bemused. "In the play? It's with little kids, yes?" Mara nodded. "Then it'll be adorable. Besides, it's nice to get out of Mechanicsburg sometimes, travel around, visit-- friends. See how they're doing."
Kelvin patted her shoulder. "Couldn't agree more. Ladies, I'd be honored if you all accompanied me to the finest theatrical experience that Guildern has to offer. Darling? Do you mind if I escort a beautiful smoke knight to her seat?"
"Er... If you can avoid losing her?" offered Mara. Violetta smirked and touched her nose, but allowed the Prince to bring her inside. The two Sparks engaged in a brief "After you" debate before they ended up walking inside together.
********************
The Royal Portraitist was set up in the best viewing position and ready for recording the Big Event of the day. The royal family and guests seated themselves at front row center, with the exception of Daphne, who sat directly behind them and took charge of little Edward. Mara spent the time before the curtains' rise to fuss over Kelvin's imageograph- yes, it was all set for still and moving images - fuss over little Edward, and fuss over their guests.
Violetta traded looks and shrugs with her mistress before glancing at the person who was quite suddenly sitting to her right. Ah, just some redheaded woman about her own age. A double-take; the woman looked familiar. Heather glanced her way, nodded once, then looked straight ahead. Violetta's peering at her was interrupted by Agatha poking her in the ribs and pointing to the play's program. She could see Isabel Mouseheart listed as Agatha, but was mildly taken aback to see that some kid would be playing her, too. She stared at Agatha, who flashed her eyebrows and a cheesy grin before sharing a chuckle with the Princess.
"Hey!" Violetta whispered. "I didn't authorize my likeness for a public performance!"
"Take it like a smoke knight," said Agatha through her smile.
Mara put a nervous hand on her arm. "Uh... besides Isabel playing you, whom I hope you think looks adorable and makes you look very, um, heroic, I thought you might be interested that I also... See, they wanted to have some, uh, stage effects here and there, and also some, uh, clanks and other things of that nature, you know, for scenes where people have to-- oh, but I shouldn't ruin it for you! Ahh, what am I saying, you were there, you-you know what sorts of things I'm talking about, and-"
Kelvin, finally done fiddling with his imageograph, nudged Mara and pointed at Agatha. "Honey, have you told her that you made all the stage effects and clanks for this?"
"Uh..."
Agatha leaned forward to address him. "I think that's what she was trying to tell me," she said. "I look forward to seeing them in action."
"Please bear in mind that my main concern was making things that were safe for children of this age," said Mara. "For instance, clanks that are designed not to hit anyone, but to look like they're trying. Does that make any sense?"
Agatha gave her a funny look, and looked about to respond, when orchestral "tuning" was then heard over the speakers. There did not appear to be a live orchestra around, so it was likely to have been a recording. The audience clapped as a nervous woman looking in her 30's emerged from behind the curtain. She smiled, but looked ready to faint. Eventually the applause died down.
"Ahhh," she said, "Thank you all so much for coming! Friends... Family... Theatrical Patrons..." {Audience chuckle} "...I am Mrs. Seinfrich, the writer and director of the first-through-third year class play and the first-year teacher, as well. The children have worked so hard and so enthusiastically, and they are so, so... so excited to perform this for you! And... we have many people to thank for this production, but we'll hold off on that until the end of the show." She paused and kept smiling, but appeared to have gotten a little bit lost. Then: "Then, uh... without any further ado... uh, behold!...as the first-through-third years... tell the exciting tale of... The Siege of Mechanicsburg!"
Part three is here.