CHAPTER 4

Acting the Part

After the race, Dexter was even more impressed. “You’re even faster out here than you are on the Track and Shield team! Where did you learn to run so fast?”

“My dad taught me about running, too,” Cerise told him. “Don’t worry, I can teach you some tricks to help you run faster. Even though a beast doesn’t really need to know how to run fast, it’s a good skill to have for when you’re back to playing bookball at Ever After High.” Cerise hexamined him carefully. “You’re using all your energy at the start. You need to learn to pace yourself, and you’ll be able to run faster and longer.”

Dexter nodded. “Pace myself. Slow down. Run faster and longer. Got it.”

Next Cerise pointed at his feet. “You also need to be lighter on your feet. You weren’t running; it was more like you were pounding your way through the forest.”

“Hey! Give a beast a break! You have those little feet and I have these… fur-covered tree stumps!” Dexter said with a laugh. “It’s a little difficult for me to be light on my feet.” He sighed deeply. “I bet if Daring were here, he’d figure out a way to run lightly, even as the Beast. He’s just so good at everything. He’s handsomer, smarter, braver…”

“Dex…” Cerise said. “Just forget about Daring, okay? He’s not here. But you—Dexter Charming—are here, and you’re the Beast in this upside-down fairytale. I don’t know why we’re here, but maybe it’s my job to turn you into a spelltacular Beast. And that’s just what I am going to do. Got it?” Cerise finally paused to take a breath. Cerise had surprised herself. She never talked that much! Then she noticed that Dexter was grinning.

“Got it!” he said.

“Okay, then,” Cerise said, relaxing into her role a little more. “Lesson two: howling.” She patted her stomach. “The howl comes from the belly, not the throat. Take a deep breath first.” Both Cerise and Dexter breathed deeply. “Next, start with a growl.… Don’t try to howl all at once. Like this. Grrrrrrr.”

“Like this? Grrrrr?” Dexter asked.

“That’s better,” Cerise said. “But maybe try to think of something that makes you mad, or something that frustrates you. It’ll make you sound scarier,” Cerise said. “Like for me… it’s having to wear uncomfortable shoes instead of my boots. GRRRRRR.”

“Oh, I get it,” Dexter said. “Hmmm… like the way I feel when my nerves get the better of me and I can’t do or say what I want to do or say? GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!”

“Awesome, Dex!” Cerise cheered. “Now, try tossing back your head and howling.”

Dexter closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and growled. Then he howled. And roared! Like a beast!

“That was epic,” Cerise told him.

“Not bad, if I do say so myself,” Dexter replied with a big laugh. “I don’t think even Daring could have done better than that! Now, let’s go inside and find something better for you to wear than a bedsheet. Then we’ll get something to eat. Howling works up an appetite.”

This fairytale is actually pretty fun, Cerise thought as they walked back into the castle together.

Dexter and Cerise headed straight to her room. Dexter studied the pile of clothes that Cerise had pulled from the closet. He asked Cerise to hold up item after item so he could study each from every angle. Finally, they came upon a red velvet ball gown. Cerise’s eyes lit up. The velvet was beautiful—just the kind of thing she’d love to wear. But she didn’t see any way to make the dress into a new hood.

After looking at it for a few minutes, Dexter finally spoke. “This could work,” he announced. “I just need your help putting it together.” He looked down at his new big paws with a sad expression. Cerise knew he was worried he wouldn’t be able to do it by himself.

“Don’t worry, Dex. We can do this,” Cerise reassured him. “What do you have in mind?”

“Thanks, Cerise,” Dexter replied bashfully. “Let me show you my plan. It’s just like a puzzle. If we take a few pieces from the skirt and use that poufy sleeve for the top, we can make you a hood!” But as Dexter pointed to each piece of the dress, his new claws accidentally ripped the pretty velvet!

“Oh no! You see, Cerise? I just keep making a big mess of things.”

“Hold on, Dexter,” Cerise replied with a reassuring smile. “I think we can figure this out together. Why don’t we just draw a picture of what you want to do, so I can help? It can be like a… blueprint!”

Dexter agreed. But when he tried to hold a pen to paper, it just kept falling out of his paw. That’s when Cerise had another idea. She suggested that Dexter just use his new sharp nails to scratch his idea onto a piece of wood. And to Dexter’s surprise, it worked perfectly! Now all they had to do was cut the pieces.

Cerise was about to grab scissors when she saw that Dexter had already cut the fabric into strips using only his claws. Within just a few minutes, he had created a beautiful velvet hood. He held it out proudly.

“Ta-da! I think I did it!” he said hexcitedly as he held up his masterpiece.

Cerise looked it over in awe. “This is really cool. Way to use your claws.”

“I just needed a little practice, I guess.” Dexter blushed through his fur. “Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s see if this actually worked!”

Cerise took the hood from his paws and immediately rushed to the bathroom to try it on.

“Where are you going?” Dexter asked.

Cerise couldn’t take a chance of Dexter seeing her wolf ears, so she quickly made up an excuse.

“Oh! Er, uh, I just want to make a… grand entrance with it on so you can see the full effect,” she said with a nervous laugh.

She quickly removed the bedsheet and tried on Dexter’s homemade hood. Besides being fairy beautiful, it fit perfectly!

She walked out of the bathroom and stood in front of Dexter. “This hood is spelltacular,” she said. “What do you think?” she asked.

Dexter laughed. “Much better,” he said.

Cerise plopped down on her bed. “How did you figure this out?” she asked. “I stared at all these dresses forever after, and I couldn’t figure out a way to make a hood out of any of them. You looked at the pile for a few minutes and created hexactly what I wanted.” She touched the velvety fabric. “And it fits me perfectly,” she added. “How did you do that?”

Dexter blushed proudly. “It wasn’t so hard. You just have to fit the pieces together in the right way. It’s like putting together a MirrorPhone or solving a Crownculus puzzle,” he said. “I love solving puzzles and figuring out things. That’s my thing. I may not be the best Beast, or the best Prince Charming, but at least I am pretty good at that.”

Cerise admired her new hood in the mirror once more. “You know, this hood is really cool, maybe better than the one I have back home,” she said cheerfully. “Thanks again, Dex.”

Dexter stood next to Cerise and stared at his reflection. “You look hexcellent as Beauty, but just imagine if Raven saw me now as the Beast. She’d never go out with me again looking like this—a big, hairy, scary beast.”

“You like her a lot, don’t you?” Cerise asked.

Dexter blushed and looked at the ground. “I sort of—well, okay. I do have a big crush on her. But… I don’t know—I’m just nervous about asking her out again. I’m so awkward sometimes!” he said worriedly.

“Raven doesn’t care about stuff like that,” Cerise replied honestly. “But who cares if you’re a little shy? You should ask her out on another date if you want to.”

“You think she’d really want to go out with me again?” Dexter asked. “I’m not the most charming Prince Charming there ever was. I feel like most of the time, I get so tongue-tied around her.”

“Don’t say that,” Cerise said. “You have a great personality. And personality counts for a lot.”

“You have to say that because you’re my friend,” Dexter replied.

“No, I don’t,” Cerise said with a smile. She held her hand over her heart. “Beauty’s honor. And besides, Raven thinks you’re great, and I agree.”

“Thanks,” Dexter said, blushing.

Then Cerise’s stomach let out a huge rumble! “Oh, ha. Guess I’m getting hungry from all this hood-making. Want to grab some food? Burgers?” she suggested.

“I think we’ve both worked up an appetite, but I doubt burgers are on the castle’s menu. Knowing this fairytale, it’s going to be a little more formal that that.…” Dexter replied.

Dexter and Cerise made their way down to the kitchen. Two members of the kitchen staff were preparing for dinner. They snapped to attention the minute Dexter and Cerise entered the room. One of the servants approached the pair and bowed deeply.

“Good evening, sir. Good evening, miss! We were just about to start cooking dinner. Is there anything in particular we can make for you?”

Cerise wasn’t used to being waited on hand and foot. She was pretty sure it was something she’d have a hard time getting used to, but she really wanted to pass her hexam, so she knew she had to play along.

“Er, uh, yes, please. I baked a wildberry pie this afternoon. Maybe we could just eat that?” Cerise said unsteadily.

“Yes, miss, right away!” the servant said with another deep bow.

Cerise and Dexter walked into the dining room, Cerise trying fairy hard not to squirm in discomfort.

“Psst,” Dexter whispered. “You can’t make that face when someone bows to you! It’s not fairy royal!”

“I can’t help it,” Cerise said. Then she took a deep breath. “Okay, maybe you’re right. I will try harder.”

After a few minutes, Sarah approached Cerise with the pie on a silver platter.

“Did you say you baked this?” Sarah asked. “The cook was wondering where this wonderful pie came from.”

Cerise smiled. “Oh thanks,” she said, blushing. “I was feeling a little homesick, so I thought I’d bake a pie. My mom loves to bake. I hope I picked up some of her baking skills.”

Another staff member walked in with a pitcher of cold milk and two silver goblets. “Your pie looks wonderful, but remember you never have to cook,” he told Cerise. “We’re here to make whatever you wish.”

He cut two generous slices of pie and served one to Cerise and the other to Dexter. Then he left the room.

Dexter clumsily picked up his delicate silver fork, and after a few messy attempts he managed to cut into his slice of pie. Making that hood for Cerise had been great practice. Dexter was finally getting used to his new beastly form.

“This is really good!” he told Cerise.

Cerise grabbed her slice with both hands and gobbled it down.

“Mom’s recipe is the best. I could eat this whole pie,” she said happily.

Dexter looked at her in amusement.

“Cerise, I have an idea!” Dexter said. “I think maybe the only way we can make it to The End is to be more like Beauty and the Beast. You’ve already helped me become a better Beast. Now, maybe I can help you be a better Beauty.”

“Okay,” Cerise said. “I’m listening.”

“The first step is getting used to castle life. I grew up in a castle, so I know a little about it. You have to get used to servants helping you out. Running a kingdom is a big deal. Everyone needs a little help here and there. Not even Apple White could do it all alone.”

“Er,” Cerise said. “That is so not me. I’m not good being the center of attention—ever. I prefer to do things on my own.”

“Yeah, I noticed you’re a little bit of a lone wolf,” Dexter observed. Cerise panicked for a moment, thinking that Dexter had figured out her secret, and then she remembered that was just a saying. She breathed a sigh of relief.

“Why are you making that face?” Dexter asked, puzzled.

“Oh, nothing—I was just… thinking about pie,” Cerise said quickly. “So, what were you saying about having servants?”

“The next time you start to do something for yourself, ask someone else to do it for you, for practice. Try to remember that this is their job, and they take a lot of pride in doing it well. Plus, if you have some help with all your chores and the other things you need to do, it will open up some time to figure out how to get back to Ever After High.”

“Okay,” Cerise agreed. She started to help herself to another slice of pie, and then stopped and looked at Dexter.

“Please serve me another piece of pie,” she instructed in what she hoped was a royally gracious tone.

“Certainly, Princess,” Dexter said with a grin as he began to slice.

“A bigger slice,” Cerise said as she watched Dexter cut.

“Okay,” Dexter agreed.

“Bigger,” Cerise repeated.

“Um, okay, I think you’ve got the ordering thing down pat,” Dexter said.

Cerise picked up the slab of pie with her hands and devoured it. “Mmmm… so good,” she mumbled through a mouthful of pie.

“You eat with so much… enthusiasm!” Dexter said carefully. “You know, my sister, Darling, loves pie as much as the next princess, but she always eats it a little slower… and with fewer crumbs.”

Cerise’s hands flew up to her face in a flash. She had been so hungry, she had let her wolflike tendencies (and appetite) take over. She tried to cover her tracks.

“You’re right. I’m not fairy ladylike, am I?” she replied with a laugh. “But I can do better. Just watch.” And she took the linen napkin and draped it gently in her lap. She picked up the silver fork and carefully ate a new slice of pie. This time, all the crumbs stayed on the plate.

“Much better,” Dexter noted, laughing. He tried to reach for the pie, but his huge paw knocked over the pitcher of milk in the process. “Stupid paws.…” he muttered.

“Clearly, we both have some work to do on our mealtime manners,” Cerise said, and they had a good laugh.

The next day, Cerise and Dexter decided to explore the beautiful woods beyond the castle walls.

“Maybe there’s a clue out here to get us back to school. Plus, I wouldn’t mind picking up some more of those wildberries on the way,” Cerise told Dexter. She loved the way wildberries reminded her of home.

Cerise was happiest whenever she was outdoors. The minute the duo left the castle, she immediately went dashing happily into the woods. Dexter huffed and puffed as he tried to keep up with her.

“Hey! Give a beast a chance,” Dexter complained as he collapsed on the grass. “I’m not as fast as you.… I’ll never be as fast as you.… Plus, it’s not so easy when you’re wearing a full-length fur coat,” he reminded her. “I’m sweating like… like…”

“Like a beast?” Cerise suggested with a laugh.

“Haha. Fairy funny,” Dexter replied, but he was grinning, so Cerise knew he wasn’t really mad.

Cerise had packed a picnic, and she spread out a blanket under a tree for the two of them to relax and enjoy it. She loved it—just like her family’s secret picnics at school. But she could tell that Dexter was getting antsy.

“Hey, um, what’s the matter?” Cerise asked. “You keep looking back at the castle.”

“I know,” Dexter said. “I was just thinking, can we go back to the castle now? I really want to get back to the library and search for clues on how to get home.”

“What kind of clues?” Cerise asked.

“I’m not sure,” Dexter admitted. “But maybe I’ll find a book with tips on how to be a better beast, or one for you on how to be a better Beauty. If we’re both able to act out our new roles perfectly, that should send us back home, shouldn’t it?”

“I guess,” Cerise said slowly. “But we’ve been trying pretty hard to be like Beauty and the Beast, and we’re still here. You really think you’ll find those kind of books in the library?”

Truth be told, Cerise wanted to figure out a way to get back as well, but she wasn’t ready to return to the castle just yet.

“Maybe we can wait just a bit longer?” she asked. “It’s so spelltacular out here. And we can look for clues in the castle later. I can teach you more about being the Beast while we’re out here.”

Dexter relented. “I need all the help I can get,” he said. “It just seems like being the Beast is completely the opposite of how I normally act.”

Cerise stared at him for a moment.

“Wait a spell… maybe that’s it…” she said slowly.

“What’s it?” Dexter asked.

“That’s how you can be the Beast. Just think of what you would normally do, and then do the opposite.”

“What do you mean?” Dexter tilted his head in confusion.

“Hmm. How about this?” She looked in the picnic basket and took out a piece of cheese. She showed it to Dexter. “Let’s pretend this is the last slice of cheese, and you really want it.”

“Okay,” Dexter said.

Cerise popped the cheese into her mouth. “Okay, now, what would you normally say?”

Dexter shrugged. “I’d say, ‘Oh, that’s okay,’ or… I’d be polite and not say anything at all.”

Cerise smiled. “Okay… now, what would the opposite of that be?”

Dexter laughed. “The opposite? I guess that would be me doing this…” Dexter pounded the ground with a fist and yelled, “THAT… WAS… MY… CHEESE! I WANT CHEESE!”

Cerise broke out in a big grin. “Now, that sounds like a beast to me!” Then the two of them laughed and laughed until both of their stomachs hurt. But after a few more minutes, Dexter started looking toward the castle again. Finally, he clearly couldn’t stand it any longer.

He turned back to Cerise and said, “I think you love the outdoors way more than I do. While you’re sitting here enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and running around, all I can think about is that great beautiful library inside, with hundreds of books just waiting for me to read them.”

This gave Cerise an idea. “Dex, if you’re happier indoors, that’s where you should be. And if I’m happier outside, that’s where I should be. So why don’t we split up and try to find clues? You can explore the inside of the castle, and I’ll explore the woods.”

“I… I guess so,” Dexter agreed slowly. “But I don’t like the idea of us splitting up. I think we make a pretty good team together.”

“We are a team,” Cerise told him. “I just think that by splitting up we can cover double the area in half the time. You already said I’m faster than you, so I can cover more ground alone, and in the meantime, you can search every corner of the castle.”

“All right. I guess that makes sense,…” Dexter said reluctantly. “Just don’t stay away too long, okay?”

“I promise I’ll be back tonight,” Cerise said. She held out her hand for Dexter to shake and hoped he would take the gesture seriously. He did.

“Just be careful, Cerise,” he warned. “And come home as soon as you can, okay? We don’t know much about this fairytale, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to be split up for too long.”

“There’s nothing to worry about,” Cerise assured him. “I’ve been running on my own through the woods since I was a pup—I mean, baby.”

“Okay, then. Have a good time,” Dexter said. “And while you’re gone, I’ll explore the inside of the castle, and hopefully we’ll find something that will help us get back home.”

“Thanks, Dex. I’ll see you soon. Promise,” Cerise said. And in flash, she was gone.