Day Six: Prologue
Charlotte had come to an impasse.
On the one hand, she had Leon. From the start, she had been attracted to him more than anyone else. The connection was strong, strong enough to survive his cockiness and uneven performances. On the other, she had Thomas. He was quite the opposite of her. His sweetness had seemed a weakness to start, but he had steadily proved himself to be capable of giving her happiness and being the husband she thought a Lady Iden needed. What more could be done to help her choose between them?
As if to answer her question, an intruder materialized in a sickly green shimmer of light. Charlotte and her suitors were stunned, but she broke free first. She cried out that the first to apprehend the intruder would be the victor; Leon and Thomas both rushed to be the hero.
But with a mere flick of the wrist, the witch stopped them both. Thomas and Leon were trapped, floating in a burst of yellow-green light. If their cries were any indication, this suspension was excruciating.
Charlotte, Lady Iden, Hereditary High Magistrate of Verona, wouldn't stand for this. "Release them!"
The witch cackled.
"By the Crown and God Almighty, I will behead you myself if you don't release them!"
"Oh, I'll release them." The witch's voice was sickening, like the smell of something once sweet that had rotted. "You can't play the game without them."
"What 'game'?"
"The one you've been playing already, Your Majesty," the witch sneered. "If you can't decide between two opposites, like these fools of yours, you're as bad a judge as your mother was. And just like her, you're too stubborn for your stupidity to be of any use. So, I'll turn your power around on you. Your pathetic little game ends when you find the right man. But now, if you don't make the correct judgment by sunrise, the game never ends. You'll languish in this room until you all die!" The empty room rang with bone-chilling cackles.
"I'll make the right decision," Charlotte cried, "and then I'll hunt you down!"
"Oh, no. That's not part of the game, Lady Iden. You can win, but I cannot lose."
"If you think I'll just forget this happened, witch, you're sorely mistaken."
"Don't worry about forgetting. Worry about remembering."
Charlotte's world turned green in a flash. From the toes up, a cascade of energy burned away the weight of her soul. Her heart and head were cleansed of personal knowledge, hollowing her out at the core. Overcome by the sudden strangeness of the world, she collapsed.
The witch waved her hand over the bodies of the unconscious. A glow similar to the one that had enveloped Charlotte briefly appeared around the men.
"So much for true love..."
Shortly after the witch disappeared, the three awoke. Rising from the floor, they eyed each other with a mix of confusion and suspicion. Mouths opened and closed wordlessly, for none of them knew what to say. Something was very wrong with the world.
Themselves, their families, their friends, their current companions, even where they were and why - all was forgotten.
Day Six
For the sixth and final day of the challenge, the slate is wiped clean. Charlotte has twenty-four hours to discern which of these two strangers is the man she ought to marry. The men no more know Charlotte than she knows them, but how they treat our bachelorette in these tough times will have a major influence on all three of their fates. The champion will be crowned by the base formula alone. In the case of a tie, the bachelors will face off in a short bonus round.
Not immediately interested in the company of two total strangers, Charlotte heads for doors. They're locked and absorb any force applied. The men try the windows, which also won't budge. The glass can't be broken. Even the chimney above the fireplace, too small for an adult already, is blocked off. Every bit of wall is rock-solid. Reluctantly accepting that they're stuck, they congregate in the middle of the room, only to be hit by a dizzying voice.
"Love is a open door..."
In the midst of trying to figure out what the hell that means, Thomas takes the first notice of the lady in the group.
Thomas: Whoever you are, you're lovely.
Leon: Whoever you are, sir, I hate your guts right now.
With an instinctual determination not to be outdone by Lord Ponytail, Leon tries to suck up to the lady.
Leon: This could be kind of fun, like a masked ball - but without all the stupid dancing.
Charlotte: Your idea of fun sounds stupid and somewhat creepy.
Charlotte bounces back and forth in conversations with each of the men. A couple of times, she's left to her own devices while the men talk briefly. They always come crawling back, however. Leon engages her with talk about, presumably, Ultimate Chess. Meanwhile...
The Family Sim is strong with you, Thomas Gloucester.
Equally strong is Charlotte's love of crime and punishment.
Charlotte: If I had my way, they'd be either swinging by their necks or rotting away with a crust of bread and a straw mat.
Leon: And if you were't so attractive, I'd probably be disturbed by the extremely slight chance you're making that decision.
Thomas: Don't listen to that Hufflepuff. If you are half as wise as you are fair, you would be a brilliant jurist!
Charlotte: I absolutely agree with all your flattery, Lord Ponytail. Although... what is a Hufflepuff?
Thomas: I don't actually know. It sort of just came to me.
They keep on with the conversation for a while. Leon and Charlotte have a few minor disagreements, while Thomas is enjoying smooth sailing. This is possibly because the conversation isn't leaning as heavily toward Addams Family territory - a partial case for nurture over nature? Perhaps. Anyway, next something happens to blow the competition wide open.
First blood drawn! As some things can't be erased by magic, Leon immediately picks a fight.
... a strange fight. Thomas's preference for a quieter disagreement only stirs up Leon more.
Leon: To Hell with you and your false concern, Lord Ponytail! I'll have as violent a fit as I want, and I'll die when I damn well please and not a moment sooner!
The sunny optimist of the group (ha!) tries to defuse the situation. She settles on describing how they could have it worse:
Charlotte: Picture this: a rustic hunting lodge, my latest kill roasting on the fire while the little ones play on the floor with the dogs.
Leon: So... a hut bursting with dogs and brats and the smell of roast 'whatever criminal you beheaded that afternoon'?
Charlotte: Exactly.
Leon: Now that should absolutely have been insane enough to make you stop being attractive... but it's not.
Charlotte: Oh, really? How do you feel about shackles, then?
Although Leon's thoughts on shackles are not immediately clear, Charlotte's thoughts about him are becoming quite apparent. And the feeling is mutual! I'm feeling good at this point about our two finalists, sad as I was to see Florizel go. They have the instincts even without the memories, and they're acting on them.
Leon: By the way, congratulations on me finding you hot. I have a feeling that's considered a great honor in the outside world.
But Thomas is not about to go quietly into the night yet! While Charlotte and Leon are spending a lot of time being attracted to each other, he's going for a more active, family-friendly approach. I think I've said it before, but he would make the perfect stay-at-home dad in modern times. Of course, the long locks might be lost in translation, and he does wear it so well. Whatever way this turns out, the little Idens-to-be are going to have amazing hair.
And then he suggests that relationship-destroying punch-you game.
Thomas: Come on, give me your best shot.
Don't say that, Thomas! You have so much to live for!
Thomas: I'm- I'm fine. Really. Fine.
Leon, of course, cannot possibly let this opportunity to one-up Thomas slip by.
Leon: That couldn't have been your best shot.
Charlotte: I don't know. I'm still clinging to the hope that I can use your shoulders to bust open some way out of here. I'm already down to three.
Leon: Just hit me, damn it!
Leon: Ow! That actually hurt!
And that wasn't even near her best shot, buddy.
Now reminded of their situation, Charlotte announces that they're going to make a second attempt at getting out. Thomas, still insisting he isn't hurt, takes the initiative. He charges the door - and gets through! General happiness breaks out while the other two sprint toward freedom. Freedom is denied. The door slams shut between them. Leon and Charlotte can't hear Thomas beyond the door, and they're as trapped as ever.
The remaining two eventually decide it may be for the best to get better acquainted, if they're going to be stuck together in this room for the rest of their lives.
Some things even a witch can't change.
Charlotte: How's your shoulder?
Leon: It's fine.
Charlotte: And the one that I actually hit?
Leon: It hurts like Hell, but I don't mind. What about you?
Charlotte: I've come to conclusion that pugilist is not among my potential identities - professionally, at least.
Fortunately for her, Leon has an idea on how to help her recover.
He also, for some reason, has the urge to gossip about Avery, though he doesn't know him from a rock. Gossip is mightier than the witch! They must have found this activity to be scintillating, since they plop down to have a gab session.
Leon: I'm thinking, since I'm clearly the better dressed and styled of myself and the late Lord Ponytail, that I'm some sort of fashion maven, someone who really knows a lot about fabrics and trimming and keeping clothes in good order.
Charlotte: You mean a tailor or a valet? Both of those sound terribly dull for you, and I somehow doubt either of those professions could afford that fetching tunic you're wearing.
Leon: All right, then let's hear your ideas on your identity.
Charlotte: Something to do with shackles.
Alas, Leon is saved by the bell - or, rather, the whims of magic. He is swapped out for Thomas, who is alive and whole and utterly unable to answer for how he escaped or where he was for the last two hours.
Thomas: Wherever I was, it was all the less for being bereft of your beauty.
The compliment goes over quite well, but the lady is understandably interested in any means of leaving this place.
Charlotte: Magic lamp? It's small, looks a bit like a gravy boat, and if you rub it, this giant spirit thing comes out and grants you wishes?
Thomas: It couldn't be. We wouldn't be stuck in here still if I had a spirit granting my wishes.
Charlotte: Damn. Sooner or later, we're going to have to figure this out. There is nothing in here to keep us alive. Literally, we don't even have a pot to pi-uh, relieve ourselves in. Literally.
Thomas: Why are you emphasizing that word?
Charlotte: Because I have a strange inkling. I have this inkling that the word will be abused at some point in the future, falsely used to emphasize feelings and situations.
Thomas: Such as saying we don't have a pot, but when there are several little vases that could be used as a pot, my lady?
Charlotte: Shut up.
As the sun fades beyond the frosted glass, Charlotte begins to despair. Something inside her tells her that the opportunity for escape will soon pass them by. Thomas, lacking a proper solution to their problem, opts for a distraction.
Charlotte: I don't know why, but I like you.
The moment the words leave her lips, the men are swapped again before her very eyes. Seeing Leon makes her realize that she likes him too - quite a bit, in fact, and she knows why. He's familiar, somehow. The sharp tongue and the temper are almost comforting.
Charlotte: Our missing friend didn't know, but I'll ask anyway. Do you know how you left? Where you went?
Leon: I only remember it sucked because you weren't there.
At this point, each of the men will get a maximum six-hour date with Charlotte. Unlike the last date, this one is strictly free-will only. The only input from me will be a kiss to open up the romantic actions, as the memory wipe put everyone back behind the first kiss wall. To be fair, Thomas will also get a directed kiss at the start of his date. No additional points will be awarded for the date score, but the better the date, the better the relationship score ought to be. By virtue of a random roll, Leon goes first.
Charlotte: Not much of a poet, are you?
And yet.
Charlotte feels a bit woozy after the kiss. It reminds her of how she felt when that awful voice rang through her head - and that reminds her of the words. She wonders if they could be taken literally. Could love open the door? Rather than give her rotating male companions any false hope, and with an innate belief that she is smarter than they are, she pursues this idea.
Or perhaps she might have, if only Leon gave her a chance. The kiss burst open any reservations about physical affection. His style is a clear contrast to his rival's more playful, innocent gestures.
I expected another foot-stomping incident when I saw the dance queue up, but it goes off without a hitch. Some things are best done without a memory, it seems.
Leon: That was fun - not the dancing part, but the you part.
Charlotte: I liked both parts.
Leon: Then if we get out of here... maybe we could try that with music? Even if I still think dancing is idiotic?
Charlotte: I'll count on it. But in the meantime, since we both like the other part... any ideas?
Of course.
Leon: Will this do?
Charlotte: For now, but don't think I won't hold you to that promise if we get out of here, buddy.
After some more carefree snogging, the problem of getting out merits a hang-out between the two.
Charlotte: Perhaps we have to consider the idea that we're dead. Maybe this is some sort of limbo or even a hell.
Leon: If that's what happened, then I say we find out way out and take our bloody revenge on whoever killed us. We'll drag what's left of them back into the grave with us.
Charlotte: You say the most wonderful things!
Time expires on the date, but Leon ended it on a very good note. The date hits the 'great' ranking, nearly making it to dream date. Thomas is going to have his work cut out for him when he magically swaps places with Leon. Now he seems familiar, too - warm and kind and calming.
It's a directed kiss, but they seem to enjoy it just fine.
Rather than keep heading down that road, they pause to gossip about poor Avery again. I'd say that maybe they think a rejected bachelor had something to do with this, but they don't remember him or the challenge. If she knew, this defect would surely be a blow to the witch's pride.
Charlotte is the one to eventually restart the physical affections. As I recall, though, I think she was often the more proactive partner with Thomas. That isn't a negative when it comes to Lady Iden, particularly one who is fully herself.
But knowing that the dawn is drawing ever closer, Charlotte can't help but dwell on the conversation she had only started with Leon before he disappeared. She proposes the death theory to Thomas.
Charlotte: From all the lovely, splendid purple we're wearing, we surely are - or were - high-born and wealthy. Maybe we were killed in some peasant revolt?
Thomas: Maybe. But, about the purple, I'd been thinking about that. I mean, we're all wearing purple.
Charlotte: Oh, my God. You mean we might all be related? Oh, God. God, no. We don't look alike, though. We can't. I mean, we can't be more than cousins, right?
Before he has to fetch a vase to serve as a pot, Thomas works to walk Charlotte back from the scare he put in her.
Thomas: Forget I mentioned it, my lady. Cousins would be the most affinity possible, with our disparate appearances. It's much more likely that, say, you and I are married, and our absent friend is a brother-in-law or some such relative.
Charlotte: If that's true, either you have magic hands or I hate the sister involved, because that doesn't make me feel guilty at all.
Thomas: Let's agree to it being magic hands.
Charlotte: Mmm-hmm.
In a better state, and with the pre-dawn birds chirping, Charlotte decides to pick Thomas' brain before he disappears again.
Thomas: Why are you so worried about sunrise?
Charlotte: I just have a strange feeling about it. You two keep appearing and disappearing - what if you go at sunrise and he doesn't take your place? What if we're all stuck in limbo forever?
Thomas: Maybe it's not so supernatural as that. It could be some magical trap, yes, but if we're so wealthy and important, our forces could be waiting for dawn to march upon this place and set us free.
Charlotte: Or we could be enemies to the crown, awaiting execution in a prison guarded by magic. We could be a deposed royal family for all we know! And I, for one, would rather be stuck in a supernatural hell than be humiliated and murdered by some upstarts.
Thomas: Spoken like a true queen.
At the moment dawn breaks, Thomas disappears without a replacement. Charlotte, utterly alone, stands up. The ghostly echo rings in her head, but it's soon overcome by another sound. The sound makes her stomach turn and her heart race.
Charlotte: I know those bells. They're not church bells, they're deeper, more somber.
Charlotte: The bell rung before an execution!
In a flash of light, the two men with which she had been trapped appeared again. They were motionless but for an expectant smile on each of their faces, directed at her. Charlotte was glad to see them both - although, she had to admit, she was happier to see one of them.
The words - a witch's words, she thought - came back to her. 'Love is an open door.'
It was a long shot - baseless, really - but she had to try. If it was love that would open the door, then her heart would know the answer, and her heart was speaking loud and clear. It pushed a word up to her tongue and across her lips - a name. She knew not her own name, but she knew his.
The bells stopped ringing in Charlotte's mind, fading off with the hint of a scream. A warm, enveloping magic lifted all three of them into the air. This magic wasn't painful. As it worked up from the toes, she began to tingle. Blood rushed through her veins with new energy, uncovering her memories of every part of herself. She could see the same happening to the men. All of them were regaining their self-awareness.
The sick green light turned to a healthy white and then, at last, to a joyful, triumphant, beautiful purple as it set them down.
"You look good in purple," she said to her heart's choice.
"Yeah, I know."
Lifetime Relationship + (Daily Relationship x 0.5) + (Number of Bolts x 3) + 5 Points for Crush OR 10 Points for Love
Leon: 55 + 0.5(100) + 3(3) + 5 = 119
Thomas: 48 + 0.5(100) + 3(2) + 5 = 109
The scores were close in the end, but Leon wins the day with just a few more points in lifetime relationship and chemistry. Thomas would have made a fine Lord Iden, if quite a different one than Leon will.
Thomas: You made a fine choice, Lady Iden. I hope it brings you all the happiness you deserve.
Charlotte: I'll have you know I say this rarely, but you are a good man. If we ever happen to be single again at the same time...
With an instinctual determination not to be outdone by Lord Ponytail, Leon tries to suck up to the lady.
Leon: This could be kind of fun, like a masked ball - but without all the stupid dancing.
Charlotte: Your idea of fun sounds stupid and somewhat creepy.
Charlotte bounces back and forth in conversations with each of the men. A couple of times, she's left to her own devices while the men talk briefly. They always come crawling back, however. Leon engages her with talk about, presumably, Ultimate Chess. Meanwhile...
The Family Sim is strong with you, Thomas Gloucester.
Equally strong is Charlotte's love of crime and punishment.
Charlotte: If I had my way, they'd be either swinging by their necks or rotting away with a crust of bread and a straw mat.
Leon: And if you were't so attractive, I'd probably be disturbed by the extremely slight chance you're making that decision.
Thomas: Don't listen to that Hufflepuff. If you are half as wise as you are fair, you would be a brilliant jurist!
Charlotte: I absolutely agree with all your flattery, Lord Ponytail. Although... what is a Hufflepuff?
Thomas: I don't actually know. It sort of just came to me.
They keep on with the conversation for a while. Leon and Charlotte have a few minor disagreements, while Thomas is enjoying smooth sailing. This is possibly because the conversation isn't leaning as heavily toward Addams Family territory - a partial case for nurture over nature? Perhaps. Anyway, next something happens to blow the competition wide open.
First blood drawn! As some things can't be erased by magic, Leon immediately picks a fight.
... a strange fight. Thomas's preference for a quieter disagreement only stirs up Leon more.
Leon: To Hell with you and your false concern, Lord Ponytail! I'll have as violent a fit as I want, and I'll die when I damn well please and not a moment sooner!
The sunny optimist of the group (ha!) tries to defuse the situation. She settles on describing how they could have it worse:
Charlotte: Picture this: a rustic hunting lodge, my latest kill roasting on the fire while the little ones play on the floor with the dogs.
Leon: So... a hut bursting with dogs and brats and the smell of roast 'whatever criminal you beheaded that afternoon'?
Charlotte: Exactly.
Leon: Now that should absolutely have been insane enough to make you stop being attractive... but it's not.
Charlotte: Oh, really? How do you feel about shackles, then?
Although Leon's thoughts on shackles are not immediately clear, Charlotte's thoughts about him are becoming quite apparent. And the feeling is mutual! I'm feeling good at this point about our two finalists, sad as I was to see Florizel go. They have the instincts even without the memories, and they're acting on them.
Leon: By the way, congratulations on me finding you hot. I have a feeling that's considered a great honor in the outside world.
But Thomas is not about to go quietly into the night yet! While Charlotte and Leon are spending a lot of time being attracted to each other, he's going for a more active, family-friendly approach. I think I've said it before, but he would make the perfect stay-at-home dad in modern times. Of course, the long locks might be lost in translation, and he does wear it so well. Whatever way this turns out, the little Idens-to-be are going to have amazing hair.
And then he suggests that relationship-destroying punch-you game.
Thomas: Come on, give me your best shot.
Don't say that, Thomas! You have so much to live for!
Thomas: I'm- I'm fine. Really. Fine.
Leon, of course, cannot possibly let this opportunity to one-up Thomas slip by.
Leon: That couldn't have been your best shot.
Charlotte: I don't know. I'm still clinging to the hope that I can use your shoulders to bust open some way out of here. I'm already down to three.
Leon: Just hit me, damn it!
Leon: Ow! That actually hurt!
And that wasn't even near her best shot, buddy.
Now reminded of their situation, Charlotte announces that they're going to make a second attempt at getting out. Thomas, still insisting he isn't hurt, takes the initiative. He charges the door - and gets through! General happiness breaks out while the other two sprint toward freedom. Freedom is denied. The door slams shut between them. Leon and Charlotte can't hear Thomas beyond the door, and they're as trapped as ever.
The remaining two eventually decide it may be for the best to get better acquainted, if they're going to be stuck together in this room for the rest of their lives.
Some things even a witch can't change.
Charlotte: How's your shoulder?
Leon: It's fine.
Charlotte: And the one that I actually hit?
Leon: It hurts like Hell, but I don't mind. What about you?
Charlotte: I've come to conclusion that pugilist is not among my potential identities - professionally, at least.
Fortunately for her, Leon has an idea on how to help her recover.
He also, for some reason, has the urge to gossip about Avery, though he doesn't know him from a rock. Gossip is mightier than the witch! They must have found this activity to be scintillating, since they plop down to have a gab session.
Leon: I'm thinking, since I'm clearly the better dressed and styled of myself and the late Lord Ponytail, that I'm some sort of fashion maven, someone who really knows a lot about fabrics and trimming and keeping clothes in good order.
Charlotte: You mean a tailor or a valet? Both of those sound terribly dull for you, and I somehow doubt either of those professions could afford that fetching tunic you're wearing.
Leon: All right, then let's hear your ideas on your identity.
Charlotte: Something to do with shackles.
Alas, Leon is saved by the bell - or, rather, the whims of magic. He is swapped out for Thomas, who is alive and whole and utterly unable to answer for how he escaped or where he was for the last two hours.
Thomas: Wherever I was, it was all the less for being bereft of your beauty.
The compliment goes over quite well, but the lady is understandably interested in any means of leaving this place.
Charlotte: Magic lamp? It's small, looks a bit like a gravy boat, and if you rub it, this giant spirit thing comes out and grants you wishes?
Thomas: It couldn't be. We wouldn't be stuck in here still if I had a spirit granting my wishes.
Charlotte: Damn. Sooner or later, we're going to have to figure this out. There is nothing in here to keep us alive. Literally, we don't even have a pot to pi-uh, relieve ourselves in. Literally.
Thomas: Why are you emphasizing that word?
Charlotte: Because I have a strange inkling. I have this inkling that the word will be abused at some point in the future, falsely used to emphasize feelings and situations.
Thomas: Such as saying we don't have a pot, but when there are several little vases that could be used as a pot, my lady?
Charlotte: Shut up.
As the sun fades beyond the frosted glass, Charlotte begins to despair. Something inside her tells her that the opportunity for escape will soon pass them by. Thomas, lacking a proper solution to their problem, opts for a distraction.
Charlotte: I don't know why, but I like you.
The moment the words leave her lips, the men are swapped again before her very eyes. Seeing Leon makes her realize that she likes him too - quite a bit, in fact, and she knows why. He's familiar, somehow. The sharp tongue and the temper are almost comforting.
Charlotte: Our missing friend didn't know, but I'll ask anyway. Do you know how you left? Where you went?
Leon: I only remember it sucked because you weren't there.
At this point, each of the men will get a maximum six-hour date with Charlotte. Unlike the last date, this one is strictly free-will only. The only input from me will be a kiss to open up the romantic actions, as the memory wipe put everyone back behind the first kiss wall. To be fair, Thomas will also get a directed kiss at the start of his date. No additional points will be awarded for the date score, but the better the date, the better the relationship score ought to be. By virtue of a random roll, Leon goes first.
Charlotte: Not much of a poet, are you?
And yet.
Charlotte feels a bit woozy after the kiss. It reminds her of how she felt when that awful voice rang through her head - and that reminds her of the words. She wonders if they could be taken literally. Could love open the door? Rather than give her rotating male companions any false hope, and with an innate belief that she is smarter than they are, she pursues this idea.
Or perhaps she might have, if only Leon gave her a chance. The kiss burst open any reservations about physical affection. His style is a clear contrast to his rival's more playful, innocent gestures.
I expected another foot-stomping incident when I saw the dance queue up, but it goes off without a hitch. Some things are best done without a memory, it seems.
Leon: That was fun - not the dancing part, but the you part.
Charlotte: I liked both parts.
Leon: Then if we get out of here... maybe we could try that with music? Even if I still think dancing is idiotic?
Charlotte: I'll count on it. But in the meantime, since we both like the other part... any ideas?
Of course.
Leon: Will this do?
Charlotte: For now, but don't think I won't hold you to that promise if we get out of here, buddy.
After some more carefree snogging, the problem of getting out merits a hang-out between the two.
Charlotte: Perhaps we have to consider the idea that we're dead. Maybe this is some sort of limbo or even a hell.
Leon: If that's what happened, then I say we find out way out and take our bloody revenge on whoever killed us. We'll drag what's left of them back into the grave with us.
Charlotte: You say the most wonderful things!
Time expires on the date, but Leon ended it on a very good note. The date hits the 'great' ranking, nearly making it to dream date. Thomas is going to have his work cut out for him when he magically swaps places with Leon. Now he seems familiar, too - warm and kind and calming.
It's a directed kiss, but they seem to enjoy it just fine.
Rather than keep heading down that road, they pause to gossip about poor Avery again. I'd say that maybe they think a rejected bachelor had something to do with this, but they don't remember him or the challenge. If she knew, this defect would surely be a blow to the witch's pride.
Charlotte is the one to eventually restart the physical affections. As I recall, though, I think she was often the more proactive partner with Thomas. That isn't a negative when it comes to Lady Iden, particularly one who is fully herself.
But knowing that the dawn is drawing ever closer, Charlotte can't help but dwell on the conversation she had only started with Leon before he disappeared. She proposes the death theory to Thomas.
Charlotte: From all the lovely, splendid purple we're wearing, we surely are - or were - high-born and wealthy. Maybe we were killed in some peasant revolt?
Thomas: Maybe. But, about the purple, I'd been thinking about that. I mean, we're all wearing purple.
Charlotte: Oh, my God. You mean we might all be related? Oh, God. God, no. We don't look alike, though. We can't. I mean, we can't be more than cousins, right?
Before he has to fetch a vase to serve as a pot, Thomas works to walk Charlotte back from the scare he put in her.
Thomas: Forget I mentioned it, my lady. Cousins would be the most affinity possible, with our disparate appearances. It's much more likely that, say, you and I are married, and our absent friend is a brother-in-law or some such relative.
Charlotte: If that's true, either you have magic hands or I hate the sister involved, because that doesn't make me feel guilty at all.
Thomas: Let's agree to it being magic hands.
Charlotte: Mmm-hmm.
In a better state, and with the pre-dawn birds chirping, Charlotte decides to pick Thomas' brain before he disappears again.
Thomas: Why are you so worried about sunrise?
Charlotte: I just have a strange feeling about it. You two keep appearing and disappearing - what if you go at sunrise and he doesn't take your place? What if we're all stuck in limbo forever?
Thomas: Maybe it's not so supernatural as that. It could be some magical trap, yes, but if we're so wealthy and important, our forces could be waiting for dawn to march upon this place and set us free.
Charlotte: Or we could be enemies to the crown, awaiting execution in a prison guarded by magic. We could be a deposed royal family for all we know! And I, for one, would rather be stuck in a supernatural hell than be humiliated and murdered by some upstarts.
Thomas: Spoken like a true queen.
At the moment dawn breaks, Thomas disappears without a replacement. Charlotte, utterly alone, stands up. The ghostly echo rings in her head, but it's soon overcome by another sound. The sound makes her stomach turn and her heart race.
Charlotte: I know those bells. They're not church bells, they're deeper, more somber.
Charlotte: The bell rung before an execution!
In a flash of light, the two men with which she had been trapped appeared again. They were motionless but for an expectant smile on each of their faces, directed at her. Charlotte was glad to see them both - although, she had to admit, she was happier to see one of them.
The words - a witch's words, she thought - came back to her. 'Love is an open door.'
It was a long shot - baseless, really - but she had to try. If it was love that would open the door, then her heart would know the answer, and her heart was speaking loud and clear. It pushed a word up to her tongue and across her lips - a name. She knew not her own name, but she knew his.
The bells stopped ringing in Charlotte's mind, fading off with the hint of a scream. A warm, enveloping magic lifted all three of them into the air. This magic wasn't painful. As it worked up from the toes, she began to tingle. Blood rushed through her veins with new energy, uncovering her memories of every part of herself. She could see the same happening to the men. All of them were regaining their self-awareness.
The sick green light turned to a healthy white and then, at last, to a joyful, triumphant, beautiful purple as it set them down.
"You look good in purple," she said to her heart's choice.
"Yeah, I know."
Lifetime Relationship + (Daily Relationship x 0.5) + (Number of Bolts x 3) + 5 Points for Crush OR 10 Points for Love
Leon: 55 + 0.5(100) + 3(3) + 5 = 119
Thomas: 48 + 0.5(100) + 3(2) + 5 = 109
The scores were close in the end, but Leon wins the day with just a few more points in lifetime relationship and chemistry. Thomas would have made a fine Lord Iden, if quite a different one than Leon will.
Thomas: You made a fine choice, Lady Iden. I hope it brings you all the happiness you deserve.
Charlotte: I'll have you know I say this rarely, but you are a good man. If we ever happen to be single again at the same time...
Thomas: It would be my pleasure.
Leon: Thomas! Good effort! So sad to see you go! Let's shake hands right now!
Leon: You take her up on that offer, I'll haunt you for the rest of your miserable life.
Leon: Thomas! Good effort! So sad to see you go! Let's shake hands right now!
Leon: You take her up on that offer, I'll haunt you for the rest of your miserable life.
After seeing Thomas off and a quick change of clothes, our happy couple has just one bit of business left.
Leon: Well, don't you have something to ask me?
Charlotte: You mean am I going to kneel in this gown so you can stare down at my breasts?
Leon: I can see them just fine from here, your ladyship. But I suppose I'd better get accustomed to begging on my knees?
Leon: Well, don't you have something to ask me?
Charlotte: You mean am I going to kneel in this gown so you can stare down at my breasts?
Leon: I can see them just fine from here, your ladyship. But I suppose I'd better get accustomed to begging on my knees?
Charlotte: Maybe every now and then, but I believe one knee is the standard for this occasion.
Leon: If I promise our life together will be anything but standard, will you marry me?
Well, my dears, we've come to an end at long last! I want to thank you all for joining me for this crazy little challenge. It was a lot more fun than I'd even anticipated. I'd also like to thank rugrat0ne, whose speech bubble replacements have been the unsung hero of this project, and Van for loaning me Felix and our champion.
Charlotte and Leon will be getting a wedding post on my Tumblr in the not too distant future. The events of the challenge itself aren't canon, but In Verona readers can look forward to seeing some of the bachelors pop up now and then. For starters, Felix will really be working for Lady Iden, and I've already picked out a very nice bride for Thomas.
Leon: If I promise our life together will be anything but standard, will you marry me?
The End
Well, my dears, we've come to an end at long last! I want to thank you all for joining me for this crazy little challenge. It was a lot more fun than I'd even anticipated. I'd also like to thank rugrat0ne, whose speech bubble replacements have been the unsung hero of this project, and Van for loaning me Felix and our champion.
Charlotte and Leon will be getting a wedding post on my Tumblr in the not too distant future. The events of the challenge itself aren't canon, but In Verona readers can look forward to seeing some of the bachelors pop up now and then. For starters, Felix will really be working for Lady Iden, and I've already picked out a very nice bride for Thomas.
Thanks again for reading!
I'm a little disappointed actually. I was rooting for Thomas, and I hope his bride will be someone very good.
ReplyDeleteThomas was an excellent contender. He'll be happy with the wife I have picked out for him, and he has an interesting family to go along with it. Thanks for reading, even if it wasn't the ending you wanted!
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