SHAKESPEARE TIME AGAIN, MFS! ROMEO AND JULIET EDITION! (Part 1)
If the words weren’t enough to grab his attention, the tugging on his tail sure did. Ratigan turned to see Lillian standing behind him with a familiar book.
“I’m going to presume you wish for another reading, Lillian, seeing as you have the book again?” He set down his newest treasures while Lillian nodded. “And the story today, if I could inquire?”
“Romeo and Juilet!” Rosalind call out, running up while Lillian held up the book.
Ratigan’s smile went tight. Taking a deep breath, he led the way to the throne.
“And you’ll be joining us, I see, Rosalind. Very well-”
“Wait for me!” He looked to see Chloe running up behind the other redhead. He turned away, rubbing the temple of his head.
“I see it’s an audience today.”
The three clambered up into his lap as he sat down, only struggling to all fit for a few minutes while Ratigan took the book and flipped through it.
“You don’t like this story, Father?” Roselind snickered at the rat’s expression.
“This story has been told many times. A lot. So now it shall be read and told. Again.” The girls laughed at the deadpan nature of their father’s tone.
“Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay our scene…” Ratigan began.
“From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life,
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife.
The fearful passage of their death-marked love
And the continuance of their parents’ rage—
Which but their children’s end, naught could remove—
Is now the two-hours’ traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.”
The fight was raging in the townsquare, swords clashing against swords in fair Verona.
“Down with the Ratburns!”
“Down with the Ratigans!”
“I plague on both your houses!”
A brown dormouse hopped up onto a stand, his golden eyes narrowed as he looked about the fight. Spotting a young albino white rat, he called out with his sword drawn high.
“Turn around, Gavin, and look upon your death!”
Gavin turned around, his pale eyes wide as he stretched out a hand.
“I’m just trying to keep the peace! Put away your sword, please! Or at least use it to help stop this squabble!”
“Ha! Have at thee, coward!” Alexander launched himself forward at the blonde, their swords clashing.
“What’s all this noise?” The Lord Basil Ratburn came out to see the commotion. Following him was the pale Lady Pearl Ratburn, trying to tug him away from the fight.
“Give me my sword!” Basil called out, trying to get out of his wife’s hold.
“A crutch! A crutch! What call for a sword!” Pearl hissed as she yanked her mouse back.
On the other end, Lord Padraic Ratigan snarled as he, too, was being held back by his wife, the Lady Evans Ratigan.
“Don’t you dare stop me, woman! Let me go!” he shouted.
“Yer not taking one step!” Evans spat back.
“Gentlemen! Gentlemen!” Was cried out as the Queen Mousetoria herself rushed in with her guard. “Enough of this!”
The crowds quickly parted at the guard separated foe from foe.
“Ratburn! Ratigan!” the Queen called out. “So many times your houses have brought these streets to battle! I decree it here and now, if ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the price!”
Both lords winced but bowed their heads. The two feuding rodents glared at each other before their wives batted their shoulders. Mousetoria held her head high as she continued.
“You, Ratburn, shall go along with me. Ratigan, this afternoon, to hear my judgment in the Villa Franca. The rest of you, go! Depart!”
Padraic scowled before Evans smacked his shoulder. Gavin slowly approached the two, his head hung low.
He winced at his mother’s call and father’s gaze.
“Who started this fight?” Padraic stood tall as he looked over the damages.
“Some servants, Father,” Gavin sighed as he looked down. “I went to stop the quarrel, but then that Alexander came and taunted for more.”
“And your brother?” Evans asked. “Have you seen him today? It’s good he wasn’t here to join the fray.”
“At the grove, near the western edge of the city, was last I saw of Floyd this morning,” Gavin rubbed his neck. “He wasn’t up for my company, however.”
“He’s been seen there much lately in the mornings,” Padraic groaned as the three of them began walking.
“Father, do we know what’s been causing his mood?”
“No, and he’s been refusing to tell,” the lord rubbing his forehead. “He will be the death of me, one day, should Ratburn not be.”
“Padraic!” Evans smacked his shoulder. Gavin shook his head before looking over, his ears perking.
“Hold on, he’s coming this way. I’ll try to speak to him alone,” he quickened his step. “Don’t wait for me, Father and Mother! Either he’ll finally say what is wrong, or I’ll be denied over and over!”
Both Lord and Lady Ratigan gazed after their younger son, sharing a frown.
“… Let us hope Floyd will be open with him more than us,” Evans huffed before beginning to drag her husband back home. “As for us, we are putting swords away, luv.”
“Is the day so young?” Floyd grumbled, leaning against the pillar.
“It’s only nine,” Gavin pointed out. The younger brother sat down on the railing by Floyd’s side, tilting his head to the side.
“Hilarious, how sad hours seem long.”
Gavin huffed, leaning forward to rest his chin in his hand.
“Yet you do not laugh. What troubles you?” he asked. Floyd tsked before pushing himself off the railing and walking off.
Gavin’s ears perked up before hastening to follow the other buck.
“You’re in love? But why should love make you sad?”
Floyd let out a humorless laugh as he draped his arm around the rat. “I am in love, but out of her favor, Gavin.”
“Well, forget about her then! Plenty girls would wish to be merely glanced by your gaze here in Verona! If she cannot love you, then there’s sure to be someone who will!” He huffed. His words were at least able to get a chuckle from the gerbil.
“I wonder which of us is truly the elder brother when you speak with such conviction,” Floyd shook his head. Gavin laughed before they were stopped by a mouse.
“Excuse me, sirs, do you know how to read?” the mouse asked, holding up a piece of paper.
“Of course, if we know the letters and the language,” Floyd smiled as he took it. He glanced down at the names, listing them out loud.
“Arthur, Clara, Fidget, Flaversham, Tony, Alexander, Alician-? A fair assembly.” He looked at the servant. “Where are they supposed to go?”
“To my lord’s house, of Ratburn,” the servant nodded with a smile. “And as long as you are not of House Ratigan, come and crush a cup of wine with us!”
Gavin smiled as the servant left as he grabbed his brother.
“Come on then! If not for a love, then for fun! Ratburn would be nonethewiser with that invite!” he laughed. Floyd’s raised a brow at him before shaking his head.
“And things have been rightened now, I see, as you are truly acting the younger brother you are.”
Meanwhile, within the Ratburns’ home, Basil walked alongside a younger mouse, frowning heavily.
“Ratigan has sworn the same oath as I. I may doubt his word, but it shouldn’t be hard to uphold it for his heirs’ sake,” he remarked.
“It is a pity such brillant rodents of our lands should be such hateful foes though,” the other mouse said before standing tall. “But, now, Lord Ratburn, as for my request?”
Basil groaned and continued walking on.
“My answer is the same as before, De Meaux! My daughter is too young to marry!” He tried to wave the other off about the matter. “Two more summers! Just two more summers before we talk of this again.”
“There are plenty of ladies these days who are younger mothers, Lord Ratburn,” De Meaux huffed as he moved to keep up with the other mouse.
“And they’ve grown up too quickly!” Basil’s face scrunched up. “Listen, two more summers, but you can woo her in that time. Earn her love! It is important that it is her choice as much as with my blessing.”
He paused in his step, sighing heavily. He looked across the courtyard to where his daughter was still talking with the other ladies of the house, gleefully reading her books.
“… Listen, De Meaux, this night I’m holding a party. Invited many guests. Already the invites are being sent out across all of Verona,” he began as he turned back to the other. “Come then, meet with the many women who no doubt will be there. See if any are to your fancy more than my dear daughter.”
“Mrs. Judson, where is my daughter?” Pearl looked through the halls, the poor Mrs. Judson running after her as they searched for the girl.
“Oh, Heavens forbid that girl ever stays in one place!” Mrs. Judson leaned over the balcony, looking across the yard in her haste. “Eleanor! Where are you, girl!?”
Both Pearl and Mrs. Judson looked down to see the redhead giggling aloud with her cousins.
“I am, girl!” Pearl gestured her up. “Come here, there’s news you must hear!”
Eleanor dropped her books and ran up the stairs, giggling along the way. “Alright, alright, Mama, I’m here! What is going on?”
Pearl clasped her hands together, taking in a deep breath.
“Eleanor, my darling, what is your opinion of marriage?” the pale mouse asked. Mrs. Judson’s eyes widened.
Eleanor blinked and looked between the two.
“It’s not something that’s a constant on my mind,” she admitted.
“Marriage, my lady! Who has gotten past Lord Ratburn’s defenses!?” Mrs. Judson inquiry, her smile wide. Pearl tilted her head as she gave more than a grimace.
“Basil has given none confirmation, but Count De Meaux has been insistant on wishing to marry Eleanor,” she revealed before turning back to Eleanor. “And I do not know how long he will wait for your father. So, if you were to meet him tonight at the party, would you be willing to see if it’d be a match?”
Eleanor backed up a bit, running a hand through her hair as she tried to think it over. Mrs. Judson gasped and squealed before prompting for an answer.
“De Meaux! Eleanor, he’d be a fine husband! And a count! Quite the catch to come, Miss!”
“I-” Eleanor looked around, trying to think.
“I... I will meet him with an open mind, but won’t move past what has been set,” she settled on as her eyes fell back onto her mother and nurse.
“Wise words,” Pearl smiled proudly, cupping her daughter’s chin. “Now come. We still have a party to set up.”
“Oh yes, and go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days!” Mrs. Judson giggled.
“Come on, come on, we’re to dance!”
“Fidget, hush! What excuse will we make? Or should we enter without apology?” Floyd muttered, keeping Gavin closed and checking the masks of themselves and their comrades again and again.
“They can judge us however they want. We’ll dance for one dance, and then get out of there,” Gavin snickered.
“Give me a torch then, for I’m not to dance tonight,” Floyd hissed back as he grabbed one. “I might as well keep watch on you lot.”
“Floyd, young Floyd, you must dance,” Fidget smacked his side as he laughed.
“Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes with nimble soles. I have a soul of lead,” Floyd huffed as he tried to wave the bat off.
“You’re a lover, boyo. Borrow Cupid’s wings,” the bat chuckled in kind. “Now come on! Dinner is already over. We’re going to get there too late.”
“I fear we’re going to arrive too early,” Floyd sighed as he saw the hosting house much closer.
“Be merry! Come, come! We all feast and dance in the hall!”
Floyd leaned against the pillar, watching his friends and younger brother join the fesitivities. He kept his arms crossed with his ears flicking at the music played. The sound of bells rang in the air as the ladies pranced with them on their wrists. His jade eyes swept across the crowd in his boredom until they landed on a blaze of red in yellow.
Floyd’s eyes widened beneath his mask, doubletaking to make sure he was not imagining the view. Quickly he went through the shadows of the hall, eyeing the flashes of yellow prancing and laughing aloud until the mouse was caught by another at the center. He quickly grabbed a passing mouse by the shoulder.
“Excuse me, who is that girl in yellow and green?” he whispered.
“Oh, wha? I do not know, good sir,” the mouse answered, bewildered. Floyd let him go before looking back to the girl, tiptoing the edge of the crowd.
“Oh, she teaches the torches to burn bright!” He mused, sighing breathlessly. “Tonight, I must know her tonight!”
Unbeknown to him, a nearby dormouse had heard his words.
“A Ratigan! I know that voice,” Alexander growled. “Servant, fetch me my sword-” He had been about to grab a servant before Basil covered his mouth.
“Hush, Alexander! What has you so furious?” he hissed. Alexander pulled the hand off, snarling.
“Basil, this is a Ratigan, our foe!”
“Let him alone, we cannot risk a battle under the oath we gave to the Queen!”
Eleanor moved to hide away as the musicians allowed singers to be entertainers for the moment. She rubbed her wrists where the bells had been. De Meaux had seemed nice, but… there wasn’t much to really speak of between them. She sighed, frowning. Was this what she should expect?
A cough startled her, causing her to look up to be met with a rodent in a skull mask.
“Oh, I hadn’t realized someone else was seeking refuge,” she laughed out her nerves. With a trained smile and wave of her hand, she was ready to let the other have their hideaway.
“I mind not the company,” the other spoke. Her ears flicked, taken aback by the deep voice and his sudden hold of her hand.
“My pardon, my mask does not do my company well,” he continued with a chuckle. Her dark eyes widened as he pulled off his mask, revealing the gerbil-like face and dark hair. But most of all, those burning jade green eyes. He gave her a sheepish smile with a softer gaze.
“Pardon me if I offend you by touching your holy hand with my own unworthy one, but I dare not think I merely dreamed of meeting a fair saint like yourself.” He bowed his head, speaking in a hushed tone.
Eleanor couldn’t help but giggle, feeling her cheeks and tips of her ears go warm with blush.
“You are unfair to yourself, and much too kind to me. After all, pilgrims also have hands.” She couldn’t help but let out another giggle as she drew closer to him. “Holding palm to palm is not unlike a pilgrim’s kiss.”
“Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?”
Her eyes glanced down to his lips as he spoke, a brief blaze of shame for being so easily intrigued by his words. But surely, no one would blame her for being taken by the hush fire this gerbil spoke with? Her face felt warmer as he gently kissed her knuckles in the dark, lifting her up to do so.
“Saints don’t move, though they do grant prayers,” she breathed out.
“Then would you be still, if I were to pray?”
And grateful for the darkness, Eleanor was, as she allowed him a kiss.
“Miss? Oh Miss! Oh, where is the girl?!” Mrs. Judson looked about the party, whispering to and in the hidden alcoves she knew about the room. She turned to see Eleanor quickly turning from her exit of a curtained corner.
“Eleanor! Your mother wants a word with you!” The older woman gestured her to come forward. Eleanor’s face seemed to drain of color as she hurried past, leaving the nurse behind. Mrs. Judson shook her head, tutted before nearly jumping out of her skin upon feeling a tap on her shoulder.
Turning, she paled, recognizing the face clearly in sight.
“Who is her mother?” Floyd asked with keen interest and a gaze that threatened to burn all around.
“A-ah, young man, her mother is the lady of the house,” she answered, taking a step back from the much larger rodent before running off.
In doing so, she missed the expression of dismay draw itself on Floyd’s face as he too took steps back.
“Oh bugger,” He hissed at himself before quickly moving to retrieve his mask. “She’s a Ratburn…”
Eleanor was trying to calm herself when Mrs. Judson caught up to her.
“Miss Eleanor, what on earth were you doing, consorting with young Floyd Ratigan?” the nurse hissed.
“Ratigan?” Whatever color Eleanor had gained back drained right away as she stared wide-eyed back at the curtains where she saw the owner of those burning jade eyes exit.
“Yes! The gerbil-rat! He is Floyd Ratigan! The eldest son of your greatest enemy!” Mrs. Judson confirmed. Eleanor stared at nothing as she stumbled back against the wall. “Miss!”
“My only love sprung from my only hate…” Eleanor breathed out, touching her lips with a hand. “Oh bugger…”
“Floyd! Oh boy, Lord Ratigan will have our hides!” Fidget cringed as the group tried to find the eldest Ratigan son.
“Brother!” Gavin called out, brow furrowed. “I don’t know why he ran so quick from the party…”
“Perhaps Alexander? Dormouse seemed a right fit,” another in their group offered. “Don’t doubt Floyd figured to let the Ratburn think he chased him off!”
“Ack, he’s probably back in bed! What’s the use in finding him where we know where he’ll end up!?”
Floyd listened to the group head off, hidden up in a crack in the stone wall. With his mask off, he was resting his forehead in his hand, thinking over his situation.
“I fear the arrow of which it has struck me was aimed by cruel Fates rather than Cupid,” he muttered to himself. He sighed as leaned back against the stone, looking out to the moon. He sighed, trying to figure out how he could even deal with the situation when he spotted movement. His ears perked up as he moved to get a better view.
“Eleanor!” he gasped, tumbling out onto the other side of the wall into the wild gardens.
Part 2 (To be posted yet)