Between the great continents of North and South America, lies the Icelandic Kingdom—Retrica Atlantia. Almost missing on most maps due to some dumb pact of ancient confidentiality, not many are aware of its great standards of living. With temperatures soaring to 40 degrees at 8 A.M. in the morning and citizens sweating like dogs in heat, we islanders have learnt to co-exist happily with people of all caste, creed, color and cultures.
Though our kingdom's motive is to live with Justice and Honesty, it does not stop our beloved countrymen from conning, robbing or simply lying to each other, without getting caught, because Media and News are banned in our nation.
Eastern Retrica has no wind of what happens in Western Retrica and this is one of the many reasons why my insanely hot country is extremely oblivious to the cold world out there. Cease communication and increase crime rate while calling your nation the Land of Justice — only a policy a true slytherin diplomat could pursue. But our crest colors were a deep, gryffindor red, in leiu of envious green that it should have been.
"Gwendolyn Stacey Richards! Wait up!! I swear if I catch you, it's going to be the last day of your not-so-happy life!" came the screeching voice of Mrs. Harrison.
I turned back and grinned at the sight of her, a fifty-three-year old woman, who was trailing behind me. Her silvery curls looked as if someone threw a bowl of noodles on her head and she never bothered to remove them. Her black eyes flashed anger and her wrinkly face wore a scowl. Her baking hat was long lost in the markets of eastern Retrica, when she made the unfortunate decision to chase me. Her white chef coat and grey pencil skirt were no help in the chase, but to hinder her leg movements. Pray if she tried jumping over a log and fell face-first into some cow feces, it would be all on her account.
Mrs. H, has nerve I say, running around the town, in a pencil skirt, as if her butt is on fire. Moreover, why all this wild goose chase?! Just because I stole a tray of freshly baked muffins!
She is a major miser, I tell you.
I winked at her, earning a deepened scowl in return. "Say something new Mrs. H, your threats are pretty old, just like you." I laughed out loud and jumped over a pile of boxes.
Mrs. H brutally shoved the pile aside with a powerful kick and retorted, "I am not old, young lady! I'm barely fifty!" she scoffed out loud, while managing to passionately chase my nonexistent tail.
Wiggling my way through sweaty bodies, I shouted over the loud market hustle, "Accept it Mrs. H, you're old! Even Beatrice could run faster than you! I must say after all the sugar diet she's been consuming, she could easily rival Vernon Dursley!"
I couldn't see her face as she shouted incoherent words over the fisherman's wailing, because I had started climbing a wall in front of me.
It was apparently a dead end, but not for me. I clawed my way up and sat on the wall and said my parting words to her, "You've been a very good woman in my life, Mrs. H, but every bird has to take flight. So bid me adieu, because this bird is going to fly! Not literally though, Adios!"
I winked as Mrs. H lunged at me but before she could grab a hold of my shrug, I jumped off the wall, landing gracefully on the ground.
Mrs. H screamed sweet profanities behind the bricks, but, as if I care.
I, Gwendolyn Stacey, am an orphan who lives in the Kingdom of Retrica.
Kingdom Retrica is in the country of Atlantia.
Atlantia is made up of five major kingdoms, i.e., Kingdom Retrica – the largest and most powerful and Just, kingdom Alamate – the second largest and powerful in Arms, kingdom Agartha – the third largest and most powerful in Trade and Economy, kingdom Xenba – the fourth kingdom and marveled in Technology, and lastly, kingdom Fioreah – the kingdom of Peace and Hope.
I jumped the wall into Western Retrica and furnished mansions and bustling market glimmered under the amber sky. I'm just a street dog, a nobody in this majestic land.
'Well, enough of geography, I'm starving.' My stomach grumbled at me by making weird noises.
'But I just ate a full tray of muffins, Mr. Stomach!' I whispered to it, poking it's pudginess.
'It wasn't enough! And you utilised the energy in running around the town'. Some part of my brain, that was pretending to be my stomach, countered.
Internally, I groaned because my stomach was correct.
Don't mind me if I talk to myself, I need an intelligent conversation from time to time.
I then lowered my gaze at the marketplace in front of me and a mischievous grin laced my lips. "Mr. Stomach if you need food, then food you will get!" I muttered to myself.
Dusting the imaginary dust off my clothes, I resumed my constructive strolling.
I walked past a flower girl, who was holding a plate of colorful flowers and ribbons. She was holding the plate in her right hand and busy chatting with her friends. A white ribbon dangled down a little. I stealthily raised my hand, as if to brush my hair, and grabbed the dangling end of the ribbon and pulled it along me as I walked past her.
I grinned at the full length white ribbon in my hand. Happily, I tied my hair in a pony tail with the help of that ribbon, so that I'd feel less hot and nape could finally breathe.
Let me remind you, that Retrica is the hottest kingdom.
Strolling further through the place I nicked a plate of burger lying abandoned on the window sill of a restaurant and some chocolate bars from a stand of an open shop nearby.
I munched on the burger and gave the chocolate bars to the kids running down the street.
My eyes then scanned the place ahead. Among the dark colored shops, tanned and barely dressed people, a bright yellow tent caught my eye, "Oh! Must be some stage plays," I muttered and made my way inside.
Getting inside a tent in a crowed place like Retrica's market was no big deal. Retrica was densely populated and sometimes it was difficult to move or breathe in its markets.
Not even a single person noticed my addition in the mob already inside. I was warmly greeted by a gust of sweaty air, full of body odor that asthma patient could die of.
The tent comprised of more people than it actually could hold, making it suffocating. I scrunched my nose in disgust and made my way ahead by pushing people. I feel like throwing up the burger I ate…
Do they not bathe?
/If it had been me, I would have died of my own body odor!/
Conscience, you bathe twice a week!
/That is you body, not me!/
It's the same thing!
/It certainly isn't!/
I can feel you are rolling your eyes.
/Glad you could feel!/
To say that it was my lucky day would be an understatement.
I saw a bunch of grapes, kept in a silver plate, on a dresser. I battled my way to the dresser, quite safely and in one piece, because I really had a strong feeling of passing out.
I grabbed the grapes and instantly began stuffing them, three at a time. My gaze travelled to the costume kept beside the dresser. It was a royal gown and an overcoat. The gown was labelled 'Juliet.'
Interesting! So, this was a stage play of 'Romeo and Juliet'. I loved reading books, but romance and tragedies never made much sense to me and unfortunately, Romeo and Juliet was both. I bagged some hair accessories from the dressing table when the brightly lit mirror caught my eye and I could see each pore of my skin in high definition.
I couldn't help but smirk at my appearance, "Always ready to give a good scare!" I muttered to myself. My bright red hairs, no less than a thick dusting broom, were dangling from my head ready to swipe a room clean. Each strand of hair was rough and malnourished. Even though the sun shows extra benevolence towards Retrica, it still has no effect on my deathly, vampire like genetically pale and dry skin which was oh-so-marvellously bestowed by freckles.
The only feature I liked about my face are my eyes. As zombie-like as I looked on daily basis, my ocean-green eyes were never dull. Bright emerald circled the watery blue in my eyes, and even though one could only see the detail clearly upfront, I was told that they sparkled whenever I was happy.
I trust the teller of that tale.
A brown cowboy hat, hung on one of the bulbs of the mirror, caught my eye. I smirked and flipped the cap upwards, folded my hairs in a messy bun and tugged them all inside the hat.
Cool! I shrugged a long overcoat from one of the mannequins and wore to cover my crop top and khaki shorts. Feeling satisfied with my grab, I gluped down the grapes in one go and moved to find an exist— Only to be pulled back again.
"Hey! Leave me be!" I shouted, jerking the man's hand away. He was a ridiculous looking tall man with a protruding belly, big nose and pimpled face. His hands were covered with curly hair narrating a tale of their own kind as his fingers tightened around my wrist.
I cringed like choking on a sour candy.
"Cam zown! It'z youl time zo act!" he enunciated in his grumpy voice. Sending shivers down my spine.
While I shuddered at his voice, trying to comprehend Lord-knows-what he spoke, he was already pushing me away. My pace involuntarily increased and I sort of lost my balance, about to fall, but managed to make efficient use of my legs in the nick-of-time. My hands flailed around and grabbed a curtain as I regained footing.
I swear, I would have looked like a girl who drunk excessively and now was struggling to walk, or even stand.
I stood up straight and found myself face to face with a pretty girl. Dusting the overcoat, I stared at her for a short while. She had curly blonde hairs, which looked artificial, and had deep blue eyes. She had big broad lips and a masculine jaw and- wait! She wasn't a girl! It was a boy who was dressed like a girl!
Do not ask me how I figured that out.
He looked cute though.
I gave him a sheepish smile and he returned me a frown. The boy was dressed in rich, elegant silver robes. Not the deep red robes I saw earlier which were tagged as Juliet. My eyes shifted from the boy to the table placed in front of us. It had three caskets on it, Gold, Silver and plain Lead.
I felt eyes on me, not just one— but one too many. I was flung on stage?!
And was it not Romeo and Juliet...but, Merchant of Venice?
I don't like love stories but that does not refrain me from reading them.
Still— was I supposed to act?!
It looked like it was one of the casket scenes, but the point is which one is it? I look down at my attire, but nothing gave even the slightest me of hints. And what's more worse is that I could feel people burning holes in me, which included, the audience and not-so-feminine Portia standing in front of me. I eyed him for any trace of help, but he just wore a blank frowning expression.
Okay, you want it the hard way? So, the hard way you'll get!
I graced my lips with a fake smile and exclaimed pleasantly, "Portia!"
"Nerissa!" the boy in Portia's character replied, in a feminine voice.
Okay…so, I am Nerissa, weird. Why am I dressed in a man's clothes then? Oh! I think it's the starting of trial scene, where Portia and Nerissa dress as male lawyers?! However, before I could say anything the male Portia continued, "Thank you for coming Nerissa, but where is Romeo?"
Okay, now I was officially lost!
Romeo in Merchant of Venice is like Barbie and her sisters in a Sherlock Holmes novel.
I quizzically gazed at the male Portia standing in front of me, but to my misfortune, he just wore a blank expression. I can really imagine myself strangling him to death if he continues to stares at me for another more minute!
Where did I landed myself into!?
"Nerissa?" the male Portia's voice busted my little bubble of thoughts.
"Oh! My lady Portia! Romeo is, of course, with Juliet," I replied with a smug smile.
The male Portia widened his eyes. I don't know the reason though. I think it is because I messed up the script, but it may also be because he was a really great actor, because it looked very real and natural.
"Wait, what?! Romeo is cheating on me with that Juliet!" he drawled out with disgust. "What about Bassanio? Does he know it?" the male Portia let out a dramatic shriek. He placed his hands on his ears, apparently covering them so he cannot hear more, and kneeled down. "NO! NO!" he shrieked.
Talk about being melodramatic.
I being Nerissa, Portia's lady in waiting, rushed to his aide. Picking him up, I continued with my fake script. "You'll be okay. I bet Bassanio will help us. Romeo was too old for you to begin with."
The male Portia looked up at me, with watery eyes. Damn! This boy is a natural actor!! He didn't even need fake tears, Impressive.
From my peripheral vision, I could see the audience stifling their laughter and to be honest, I didn't even want to glance at the people back stage.
/I wonder if male Portia is acting, or crying as you are shamelessly putting a full stop on his acting career./
Why are you so rude conscience?
/I am not rude! I'm just brutally honest./
"I feel betrayed and broken! I shall poison myself to death!" the male Portia wails out. He really is going on with the fake script.
"Oh!" I mutter. "I apologize, I don't have either at hand. Should I run outside real quick and get some? Glue or Poison?"
The audience giggled as I helped the male Portia stand up. He stood up and wiped his tears in my coat. After sniffling a little in against my torso, he blew his nose in the sleeve of my overcoat and I groaned out loud.
"Eww, Gross!" I exclaimed, pushing him away. "Mind your manners, milady!" I exclaim, scrunching my nose. The male Portia gave me a teary, as well as, smug smile. The audience roared with laughter, and I just gave them a disgusted look.
"Whatever," the male Portia dismissed my comment. He walked forward and stood beside the caskets. "Keep them away. I think I'll die a virgin," he said, shielding his eyes with his hand.
"The caskets?" I asked.
"No, my silver dress robes," he muttered. I knew it was sarcasm, but I played along.
"Sure milady!" I said cheerfully and walked towards him. I knew he did not exactly understand what I said, but when I started lifting the hem of his elegant silver dress robes, realization dawned upon him like being hit by a truck.
"What are you doing?!" he shrieked out, just as I exposed his hairy legs to the world, in a tone which comes out only when a girl sees a cockroach or a lizard.
"Back off!" the girlish voice yelped and, yet again, busted my bubble of thoughts.
"Why should I milady? You just ordered me to keep those robes away. Didn't you?" I said with a mischievous a smile. I could hear the audience laughing in background. I wonder why they weren't 'booing' or throwing tomatoes at us.
I guess they were a respectable lot.
"No I didn't! Stop stripping me! I know that you are a spy! Guards! Arrest her!" the male Portia shouted and aggressively pointed at me.
Oh-oh! And that's my cue to run, because they weren't guards who jumped out, growling. They were backstage people running behind me, apparently to murder me, or worse throw me jail!
Laughing, I jumped down the stage. I love the life I live, I need no changes. Running is my thing.
As the humans charged at me, like a bull charges upon seeing red, I jumped frantically from seat to seat, balancing on their backrests. It was typical but not impossible.
People were 'ooh-ing', 'ah-ing' and avoiding their heads being kicked like a football. The expressions on their faces were priceless.
The mob that was chasing me was not so good at balancing. Thank freaking goodness! I sneaked a peek and saw that some were dangling off the chairs; some were on the floor with twisted ankles or wrists, while the others were caught by the audience and were being sued or lectured.
But I made a mistake, by looking behind, and lost my balance. I was about to step on another backrest but faltered and fell backwards. I knew I could break my head or backbone.
I was waiting for the impact, but it never came the way I thought it would. My back clashed with someone's chest as we descended to the ground owing to momentum. I could feel that it was a man as I back pressed against his hard chest. I fell on top of him.
I was rendered harmless, but I bet he'd be in a hospital for probably quite a while. I turned to see my unfortunate savior's face.
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I was flabbergasted!
I didn't know they made them so pretty here. I mean it was impossible to find such fortunate pieces in the eastern Retrica but good Lord this one was a real deal!
Oh Gwen! You made a very good decision by jumping the wall.
"There's the girl! Catch her!" I heard the male Portia's voice as it busted my bubble of thoughts.
I shook my head. I had to run, but I couldn't leave such a marvelous piece of creation just lying here.
"If you are done staring, then please get off me. It hurts." I heard the boy speak, voiced laced with thick Retrican accent and that's when I realized that I was already sitting on top of him.
I am such a blunder!
My eyes flickered to his and he held my eye-contact with his hazel orbs. My breath hitched when someone jumped behind me.
Immediately, I got up and took the marvelous piece of creation with me.
Snatched in borad daylights. Probably my boldest move ever.
As I began escaping again, I could hear the boy's voice added to the number of 'Stop!' and 'catch the girl'.
My heartbeat soared when I saw the black door in front of me but, me being Gwendolyn Stacey, deflected from my path and jumped out of the nearest window.
I felt the soft grass under my shoes and I bolted the window shut. Sighing, I jogged my way towards the dense overgrowth behind the tent. They'd never look for me there, unless they were desperate.
Not many dared to tread inside the tropical forests of Atlantia.
I was hungry again but nevertheless, I happy. I had bagged crazy items today and
got one more crazy memory to recollect when bored.
I raised my hand to the sky and suspended the stolen necklace in front of me. My sea green orbs taking in its every keen detail. It was beautiful beyond praise.
The necklace shaped in an uneven heart, platinum body and a real diamond studded in the centre. I turned it to find a golden 'C' engraved on its back. "It's beautiful…" I whispered out in amazement, my eyes never leaving the jewel.
Who was that man?
Would have been extremely rich!
He was handsome as well, but not as breathtaking as the necklace.
Why would I check out an extremely eccentric and handsome man when I could just steal his extremely rare and beautiful necklace?
I am a jewel thief after all.
I leaned against the hard bark of a tree and got lost in its dazzling beauty
suspended in front of me.
I wished the moment would never end, but I'm Gwendolyn Stacey. Good things end for me, two times faster.
It ended the second I heard the same boyish voice coughing.
I secured the necklace in my overcoat's pocket and once again stared in those hazel orbs of the black cloaked man. He was standing right in front of me, wearing a dark cloak with golden embroideries.
His gaze penetrated my soul, while I held my stand.
"I am the Pince of Retrica, heir to the Land of Justice and Honesty, and you, Gwendolyn Stacey Richards, are accused of stealing royal property."
His husky voiced penetrated my ear drums like a fork stabbing paper. Unlike the usual scorching heat in the market place, the forest was comparatively cool. A gust of wind rushed past us as I scoffed.
And when I thought it couldn't get much worse, another cloaked person walked and stood beside him. The newcomer took off their hood and long auburn curls flowed down to her waist. It was a girl, an enchantingly beautiful one at with. Foxy eyes, upturned nose and a pride smile graced the perfect canvas of her face.
She gave a girly giggle before pronouncing my fate in her smooth sugar-coated voice, "And the punishment of robbing royalty is a death sentence."
Her hazel orbs whirled with amusement and malice as I took a few steps back.
I have not even had a proper meal until now!
Will I die hungry?
This was a very unfortunate day and unfortunate encounter.