Fantasy So Night Follows Day by TMaskedWriter

[Ramesh_Rocky]

"Helena!" Julie Equals shouted at Contessa Helena de San Finzione. "The girl asked how you became Contessa! She's fifteen, not Troy!" Julie turned to Denise Cole, who'd been listening to every word. "We met him at one of his resorts in Spain. I can't give you the details after that, but, not those ones!"

"Ok, yeah, Julie's right." Helen admitted with a laugh. "But still, you'd go see that movie, right, Denise? I'm kind of looking for ideas right now."

"Sounds great." Denise said, taking a drink of her soda. "Need any actresses?"

She smiled at her own question. Denise had relaxed after everyone came back into the house. Formal introductions had been made; and Troy, Julie, and Susan had to suppress snickers when Denise curtseyed to Helen. When Helen gave a perfect formal curtsey in reply without missing a beat, they could no longer be suppressed.

"Sorry, Denise." Julie chuckled. "It was really nice. It's just... we've seen Helena do that on TV, meeting other royalty; it's just funny to see her do it here at home."

"Don't listen to them, Denise." Helen said, turning to the others with a grin. "It's nice to see someone show some proper respect for a change."

There was a moment of silence before everyone but Denise exploded into laughter.

"Now I'm sorry too, Denise. These people are my family. Real kind, not crime kind. They do not show me 'respect,' and I won't hold it against you if you don't, either."

That got a smile from the girl. Soon they were able to talk, and Denise asked her first question of Helena: How she became Contessa, before Helen began spinning her story.

"Well," Helen said afterwards, drinking her cocoa. "What would you think of a trilogy about a special Chosen Girl who's really clumsy but can do this one thing that nobody else can; or she's the best in the world, anyway? She thinks she's unattractive, but every boy wants her; especially the two or more super-hot ones that everyone 'teams' for. She eventually chooses one, then leads the revolution and overthrows the dystopian future government; she does some PG-13 stuff with him, and the series ends."

Denise thought for a moment.

"I'd say I've read that trilogy six times and every time, it had a different author and title."

Helen turned back to her family.

"Ok, I like her!"

Denise began to risk strain to her smiling muscles. Helen turned back to the game that Troy had set up.

"So, how do we play? Can I be the banker?"

"NO!" Troy and Julie shouted simultaneously.

"Helen," Troy said. "You know you're never allowed to be banker. In anything. Ever."

She turned back to Denise and winked.

"Yeah, I do." She informed her. "I just never get tired of seeing them do that." Helen turned back to the rest of the group. "I should probably step out back for a smoke before we get into the game, since Denise is here. Mind giving me a few minutes first?"

Stunned silence fell over the room. Denise was confused again, until Julie spoke.

"Helena, I don't think you've ever straight-up asked permission like that since..." Julie had to cut herself off before saying "we taught you how to Do What We Do."

"I was just shown a great deal of respect." Helen explained. "I'd like to return it. In fact, Denise, if you don't mind coming out with me and sitting out of smoke range, I wouldn't mind hearing any movie ideas you might have."

Denise nodded and ran to the patio door to open it for Helena. She gave a thankful nod and the two of them stepped outside, closing the door.