"Man, that was way too close." Topher coughed as he and Ethan leaned against an alley wall.
Ethan bent over, his hands on his knees, "That... that stupid idiot Jacob... I can't stand him."
Christopher put a hand to his head, "What did you do?"
"I just... I mean, snap! The gods forbid I should be better than a noble at anything. Just because I can outsmart him and he has to rely on me to do papers for him and..."
"And is it worth it Ethan?" Topher questioned, "And when is it going to end? Until they get you? Until they finally prove to themselves that they're better than you? Until you're stuck licking the mud off their boots? ... they're not going to let up. If you're so smart, you should know that by now."
Ethan pounded his fist on the wall, "I know. Believe me, I know."
"You're only digging your grave deeper." Chris reasoned. "It'd be best to just let them have their way while this is still a small problem. They're hardly more than children, but they hold a lot of sway in this kingdom. They could have your father fired, your mother shunned, your siblings beaten... It's not worth the risk..."
"I get it Christopher, ok?" Ethan slumped against the wall, defeated. "I know I should just let them have their way, but... I don't know what it is, my pride, my heart, my dignity... it won't let me. The only difference between them and me is that they were born into power and money and I was born into poverty. How does that make them better?"
Chris just shook his head. He didn't have any more answers than Ethan did.

Friday... Friday... It's Friday, stop worrying. It had been a long, tiring week. Jacob, Eric, and the rest of them had been hounding him for the majority of the week. He'd managed to duck, dodge, and otherwise stay out of the way. They appeared decent enough in public at least. He and Topher had gotten in a few pretty good practices the last few afternoons too. Topher was a little shaky, but Ethan was sure he'd be able to do it when it mattered. And if not...
Ethan pulled a couple of masks from his bag. It might be best to lay low at this party. He'd feel safer behind a mask, and he knew he could talk Topher into wearing one. It might even be better for Topher's confidence and nerves to have something to hide behind. It seemed silly, but people were always wearing overly dramatic outfits and masks and all manner of strange dress to these parties. He doubted they'd stick out at all.
He'd had time to run to a few shops this week and look for a present for Briar Rose too. He was pretty certain now that she wouldn't like that dress as much as he'd thought. It was much more likely that she'd been standing in front of that window in awe of that little machine that could sew on it's own. It wasn't that he didn't like Briar Rose, there was just no way that he could ever afford something like that. He had finally decided on a small silver ring and tiny matching earrings he'd found on sale at the local jewler's. The man at the counter had even offered to engrave a message on the inside of the ring. Ethan had thought for a few moments before deciding on something sweet and simple.
The moment the school-bell rang, indicating the end of class, Ethan hurried out the door and back to the Hodge family shop. He wasn't taking any risks today. He cursed as he ran outside into pouring rain. Rain? Just great. There couldn't possibly be good weather on the day of a special event... He groaned and kept running.
"Topher? Topher, you here?" he peered in the door of the shop.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm here. That was quick. In a hurry?" Topher emerged from a doorway wearing a poncho and dripping with rain water.
Ethan shook as much rain from him as he could, "it's cold out there."
"Tell me about it. I just finished hitching up the horses to our carraige." Christopher carefully pulled off the soggy cloak and set it on the counter. "Wanna get in one last practice before we leave? I think we have time."
Ethan shrugged, "sure, why not? oh yeah, and I wanted to run this idea by you..."

"Masks?" Topher looked skeptical.
"Yeah, I thought they were kinda cool. See? This one only covers the top half of your face. You'll still be able to sing just fine." Ethan explained. "Plus, I hear they're good for if you're nervous during performances. You just pretend you're someone else. No one will know it's you if anything goes wrong. I mean... not that anything WILL go wrong... and they're perfect because---"
"Hiding behind?" Christopher interjected. "I don't think I'm the only one that's going to benefit from wearing one of these... It'll make it that much harder for certain people to locate you... isn't that it?"
Ethan crossed his arms, "well, no... not really... I mean... it's not like they won't be able to tell who I am anyway..."
Topher rolled his eyes, "You'd have to use a glamour spell or something and totally change your appearance. Even then they could probably track you down."
"Yeah yeah, well, at least gimme the peace of mind?"
"Yeah, fine. I'll do it. Now get your violin out. We have to practice."

* * * * *

"Mom, isn't it ready yet?!" Briar Rose whined.
"Almost child! Have a little patience!" her mother, Heather groaned as she finished ironing the skirt.
Briar Rose snatched the dress up quickly and pulled it over her head. The bodice was fitted and sleeveless and the skirt was full, with a split up the center to show off a second layer of satin and chiffon. She'd found some silver slippers and accessories to liven it up as well.
"What do you think? I'm a genius aren't I?" Briar Rose spun a few times, loving the feel of the skirt twirling at her waist.
"Yes, yes, you look lovely dear. Now explain to me again why I don't get to meet that mystery boy of yours?" her mother put a hand to her temple.
"I told you mother... He's performing on stage at the ball! They chose him and his friend! They're really good musicians, I'm sure of it!"
Heather laughed, "so you've never actually heard them play then?"
"Well no... but I will tonight! Anyway, that's why he couldn't pick me up. He has to be there early for a rehearsal or something... The people at palace security can be so anal..." Briar Rose muttered.
"Briar Rose! Such language!"
"What? They are!" she crossed her arms defiantly.
It didn't take long before the twins caught on, "oooh Bri said something naughty!"
"What's 'anal' mean Mom?"
Heather shook her head, "Nevermind that Lark. I'll tell you when you're older."
Larkspur pouted defiantly and pointed at his brother, "I'M Lark! He's Oli! I hate when you do that Mom!"
"Alright, alright, enough. Bri, the carraige is probably waiting out front. Don't forget your cloak. It's pouring out there." She gave her daughter a quick kiss on the forehead and patted her cheek. "oh, and don't do anything I wouldn't do." She gave Bri a sly wink and sent her on her way.

Briar Rose sat alone inside the carraige. She carefully smoothed her new dress. She hadn't sewn it herself, but she was still quite proud of the design. Becoming a designer or a seamstress... That was really all she wanted... wasn't it? Something was still gnawing at her. Everything was going so well! She had a handsome date, a beautiful dress, plans to start sewing her own creations... what was wrong?
Because Dad isn't here to share it... and you've spent all this time and energy trying to hide that one simple fact. You KNOW there are secrets in that book, but you're too caught up in finding a happy ending for yourself to look for the answers! Briar Rose shook her head. She couldn't be thinking like this. She had to smile. This was her big night. She'd been looking forward to it since last week and even more so since she got Ethan to ask her. But it's not enough, is it?
She took a few deep breaths to clear her mind. She was going to have a good time tonight whether she liked it or not. She would worry about other things tomorrow.
The carraige bumped along the cobbled road up to the palace. They had planned to have the ball outside in the spring air, but the rain had changed everything. The servants had hurriedly rushed the decorations inside and set things up in the more than large enough ballroom. Briar pulled her hood down and stepped carefully from the carraige. She put a few coins into the hand of her driver and made sure he knew she already had a ride home with her date. Her heels clicked noisily on the walk up to the castle. I can't wait to hear Ethan play! She could see other carraiges pulling up through the castle gates as she walked in the massive entryway. There were several well dressed servants waiting to take her cloak or escort her to the ballroom. She took off her cloak and handed it to the nearest servant. A wide red carpet led the way to the enormous dance room. It was everything she'd dreamed it would be. Tables dotted the edges of the room for weary dancers to rest. The floor itself was fine grey and white marble and the dancers seemed to float magically across it in their fine dresses and suits. Servants passed by here and there, offering drinks to the older guests and little finger foods and water to the younger ones. Several pillars were scattered about the room in a uniform fashion to hold up the massive roof. Twines of roses and baby's breath wound around them in a delicate fashion. The stage was set deep into the far wall. It was large enough to fit an entire symphony and was framed by a set of large, deep red velvet curtains.
She scanned the room curiously, but not too obviously for Ethan and his friend... what was his name? Topher? no... Christopher! Yes, that's it! She didn't take more than a few steps before she heard a "pssst! hey!" from behind one of the pillars. She spun quickly.
"Ethan? Is that you?" she whispered as she drank in his new appearance. He wore a midnight blue silk shirt with large, flowing sleeves. A pair of matching silk trousers and soft looking shoes. It was accented by pale blue clasps and trim. He wore what looked like a mask, but he'd moved it up so it rested at the edge of his forehead so she could see his face. And she noticed for the first time that it was a rather handsome face. His green eyes sparkled with mischief and excitement.
"It is. You look... stunning. Like a princess." he took her hand and kissed it with all the grace of a grown gentleman.
Briar Rose smiled, "And you're fit to be a prince."
He smiled in return, "I hope you don't mind the mask. It's... well... for a friend and..."
Briar Rose shook her head, "you don't have to explain, it's fine."
He smiled again and pulled it down over his eyes. It didn't do much to hide his face, but it did add a certain air of mystery that she couldn't help but enjoy. "Would you like to dance?"
Bri nodded and took his hand as they walked out to the middle of the floor. He gently laid his hand on her waist as she rested hers on his shoulder and he led the way.
"So where's your friend?" Bri mentioned, just to clear the air a little.
Ethan led them over to the edge of the dance floor and made a motion with his head. "The guy in black over near the wall. That's Christopher."
Briar Rose took a quick glance at the tall, dark figure leaning on the fall wall. She didn't believe she'd met him before, but he cut a rather dashing figure in his fitted tunic and leather trousers. He wore a mask as well, black, to match the rest of his outfit. If he was nervous, she couldn't tell from here. She could already see a table of young ladies chattering quietly to one another and pointing in his direction. If he didn't have a date for the night, they seemed to want to make sure that he'd have one by the end of the evening.
"He looks rather dashing." she commented.
Ethan laughed and almost missed a beat as they spun back into the midst of the dancers. "That's what I told him. I don't think he likes the attention. He's rather shy."
"Ah... that was nice of him to agree to accompany you then."
Ethan tried not to laugh at that as well, "me? If anything I'm the one just accompanying him. He's the singer, the song writer, the pianist..."
Bri looked confused, "but I thought..."
"Yeah, I know. Why try to be a musician if you're nervous around people? That's kind of asking for it... But hey, we've all gotta fight for our dreams, right?" Ethan carefully dipped her, then swung her back gracefully.
"What do you mean?"
Ethan took a breath, "Well... I suppose that... that's why they're called dreams... because they're difficult to obtain. If something is just given to you easily... it's not of much worth, is it?"
Briar Rose wasn't quite sure what he meant, but she nodded all the same. There were a few moments of silence before the next song started up. The current band was made up of woodwinds and strings and played soft classical music. Bri skillfully stayed in step with Ethan. "So... what's your dream then Ethan? What are you fighting for?"
Ethan just as skillfully twirled her about, "Well now, we've all got our secrets princess."

All in all it seemed a magical evening. Ethan left her at a table near the stage, but not before kissing her hand once more. She set her hands in her lap and watched the stage with eager eyes. Ethan is right. Tomorrow... Tomorrow I will start fighting for my dream. I'll find out exactly what this "book" is all about and... The curtains rose slowly, revealing the performance she'd been waiting all night for.

* * * * *

Christopher was nervous. He leaned anxiously against the wall, worrying about a number of things. The current one was why on earth this costume had to itch him in all the places he couldn't scratch in public. The mask was an interesting concept too. It had sounded silly, but it was almost like being a little kid again and hiding under the covers. The blanket really couldn't do anything to protect him, but it gave a feeling of security and safety. It was the same sort of feeling. Under this mask he wasn't just Christopher, he could be anyone. He could get used to that.
Chris eyed the clock nervously. Eleven o' clock. Eleven o' clock. It's Ten fifteen now. Forty five minutes left. The curtain call will probably be in about thirty minutes...
"Ah... Excuse me..." a tiny voice that was barely a whisper reached his ears. It was only then he noticed the girl walking slowly toward him. She wore a simple but classy lavendar dress with a full skirt and petticoats.
Chris looked for an exit, but the nearest one was halfway across the room. He wasn't quite sure of what to make of the situation and his fight or flight instincts were kicking in.
"I um..." she looked at the floor and nervously put her hands behind her back. "I just noticed that you were here all alone..."
"Y-yeah..." Christopher stuttered.
"Well... um... I just... thought that maybe you wouldn't mind some company..." she still wouldn't look him in the eyes. He wondered what exactly was wrong with her and why she was acting like that, but thought better of it, knowing full well women were something that he would just never understand.
"I... um, that's ok. I'm fine." he said almost automatically.
There was a pause. "oh." Her face fell and she started to walk away, "Sorry to bother you."
Chris puzzled over what had just happened before it actually clicked in his mind. He took a few strides and grabbed her wrist, "wait!"
She looked up at him with wide eyes, "yes?"
"Ah... I'm sorry, I... mean... um... I'm not very good, but... would you like to dance?"
"Really?! I'd love to!"

And now here it is. The moment of truth. Christopher's hand shook as he and Ethan made their way across the curtained stage to their places. Chris sat at the grand piano and Ethan took up his bow and violin. I can do this, I can do this... Ethan gave him a smile and a nod as the curtains slowly began to rise.
The pompous announcer that had called him at the interviews walked out on stage. "We would like to present..."
Wait... I didn't think they'd be announcing our names... They didn't say anything about this. I...
"...The Frog Prince and Company."
Chris held back a laugh. If this was some sort of joke to make us look like idiots... He looked over at Ethan who still stood confidently with his bow held over the strings. He must've known about it from the start... That's why the masks... Score one for the underdogs. He smiled awkwardly at Ethan who just nodded and waited for him to begin. Ethan, for once I'll agree. You're a genius.
He looked out over the crowd and they looked back at him expectantly. He closed his eyes and let his fingers rest on the new ivory keys. They felt perfect under his rough, calloused fingers. They were waiting for him to play them, to show them what music was to him. He took a deep breath and began.

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