The Tales of Yesteryear: A Third Grade Musical

[Aiden Mumble]

(All ya need to know for now is that its been 150 years since Tintagel opened, its now an elementary school. Cool? Cool. also. credit to the lovely title goes to Em. cuz i fail at titles.)


A shrill bell could hardly be heard over the screeches of excited children as then ran about the music room, paying little respect to the various interments they tore from their cupboards and threw about the space. The bouncing bunch of seven and eight year olds only began to quiet at the gentle call of their instructor. She was a pretty woman with brunette hair and a glow about her that suggested she was a source of light in ever possible meaning of the phrase. She held a certain glimmer in her light brown eyes that held your attention as her gaze swiveled about the room, taken in the little faces of the students she had grown so fond over over the past year. Her dark locks were tied up with a glossy white bow and, as if her bright grin and strange complexion weren’t enough, a sunny yellow dress decorated her body and stopped just after her knees. Given that she was only partly mortal her age could only be presumed in her mid twenties, though most guessed she must be older.

The white board behind her clearly depicted her name to be ‘Ms.Glisten,’ however, most the faculty knew her by her full title of ‘Demi Goddess Radiance Glisten.’ It would have been a wonder how she even made it out of grade school without enough ridicule to make your head spin, but, given that her father was the sun god himself, most left it alone.

“Children” she called for their attention for about the millionth time. She patiently waited for the few remaining kids still reeking havoc to realizing that the rest of their class had taken a seat on the floor and scramble to take a spot on the carpet as well before continuing. Most of the class smiled up at her, some were grumpy about the fact that they could no longer beat each other senseless with plastic flutes, the rest just seemed distracted by the figure awkwardly hovering in the doorway. Radiance hadn’t noticed just yet and instead clasped her hands together in preparation of revealing some news she thought was particularly exciting.

“I have a big surprise for you today!” She beamed “We will be putting on a little musical in celebration of Tintagel’s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary!” She articulated every word as if she were letting them in on the most amazing thing since cotton candy flavored bubble gum. Unfazed by the unanimous collection of blank stares she was receiving, she continued with such luster, you’d think she’d just be cheered by a thousand round of applause.

“You will each be assigned a forefather for a character-”

“Ms.Glisten” a dark hair and dark eye’d girl interrupts with a concerned look on her face “I only have two fathers” she projects very seriously. Several other students look around, fretful as they begin to realize that most of them only have one father. Radiance looks down upon her kindly and shakes her head slightly.

“No no, dear Ingrid” She began gently, forefathers are like...” she tried to think of a was to say forefathers any simpler than saying forefathers. “Like your great grand father.”

Ingrid, didn’t smile, but nodded slightly in understanding “You mean like Beowulf.” she asked for further clarification.

Ms.Glisten seemed relieved “yes thats right.” This seems to satisfy the little girl and Radiance was left to continue. Her eyes scaned the room for another moment as she tried to get her thoughts in order once more.

“Oh right!” she jumped a little bit as her train of thought snapped back into place. “You will each be assigned a forefather, your own if possible, and you’ll get to act like them and sing up on a stage!” she cheered, though most the faces of her students remained rather oblivious looking, some even slightly slack jawed. The silence stretched for a few moments until, finally, a particularly little looking blonde child raised her hand, waving it about just incase Radiance didn’t notice. The teacher opened her moth to call on her, but the little girl cut her off before she could

“MS.GLISTEN” she shouted brightly, bouncing up and down. Radiance tried not to cringe at her outburst.

“Remember what we talked about Adelaide” The slightest bit of warning slipped into her generally friendly tone.

Adelaide Mumble, a surname that had been passed on through students in this school for many generation, ever single one of them most recognizable by their big blue eyes. She shrunk slightly, but smirked as if she were sharing a secret with Ms.Glisten instead of being scolded. “Inside voice” she whispered, before continuing in a tone that was only slightly less laud than her previous shout. “Who’s that guy?!” She asked plainly, pointing at the doorway with a little finger.

“Oh!” said Radiance, obviously a little ashamed for not noticing before. “Oh good you made it!” she spoke a little breathlessly as she moved toward the door and gestured him in. “Come in come in, thank you for coming” She said politely.

Over the threshold came a young man who couldn’t possibly be over the age of twenty, despite the worn, tired look he carried about him. His blue eyes imminently flickered to the face of a tidy little brunette boy who had been curiously picking at the floor until the man stepped in. He now beamed up at the guy that could easily pass for his older brother, gazing upon him through glasses that were clearly a few sizes too big. This was the only reason he’d come, the man reminded himself, this was why he was here. He tried to remember to breath as Radiance touched his arm slightly before addressing her class.

“Children, I have invited someone to help us understand a bit more about our forefathers. Can we all say hello to Mister Panic?”

[Panic]

A chorus of of various awkward and shy greetings met his ears. The kind you receive when you’re obviously considered to be a strange man looming in a classroom of young children. Panic’s actions pretty much topped them all for awkwardness as he shuffled his feet and carried a pained look on his face as Radiance beamed up at him. Moments stretched on as the teacher waited for him begin and he waited for her to tell him to begin. Finally, there was a mutual conclusion that they were both waiting on each other and an uncomfortable, stumbling exchange of words ensued.

“Well would-” “Oh sorry I-” Radiance began over top of a typical apology from Panic.

There was another awkward moment as they both waited for the other to speak until Ms.Glisten covered with a small giggle and addressed her class instead.

“Mr.Panic” she began, trying to think of a simpler way to say “immortal,” a word she had decided may be too difficult as she noticed Adelaide shove something off the floor into her mouth. “Can live forever.” she decided, smiling down on her little collection of students. “He can remember from a long time ago when he was friends with your great grand parents.” She bubbled gladly, clasping her hands together.

“Mr.Panic is Trent’s great Grandfather, isn’t that right Trent?” She grinned down at the little boy who smiled and nodded back. Trent, like the man he was named for, was not a big talker, but he was a happy and clever child with big green eyes and a gentle touch. Radiance could easily call him one of her favorites, though she knew she should not pick. She turned her attention back tot he rest of the class to notice a few little arms that had shot into the air. Radiance sigh mentally and tried to call on someone she hadn’t yet. “Yes, Constantine?”

Constantine Bass was wearing a look of clear displeasure on his face, but, in truth, no one had ever really seen him without it. Beside him, his cousin, Rad, was grinning as he repeatedly poked his relative’s shoulder to see how long before he could induce one of Constantine’s infamous temper tantrums. Both blonde with brown eyes, they could easily pass for brothers except for the fact that their last names did not match.

“Rad keeps touching me.” he said with a stern expression.

“Am not!” Rad panicked and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

“Are too!” Constantine protested, raising his voice.

“Are not!” Rad stuck out his tongue and Constantine gave him such a violent look that Ms.Glisten actually feared for his safety.

“Boys!” she scolded with a forced smile “doesn’t anyone have any questions for Mr. Panic?” she said a bit breathlessly, hoping desperately to bring the topic back to the musical. To her relief a few students raised their hands. Adelaide was waving around again and Radiance feared she’d have no choice but to call on her.

“Yes, Ade-” “MISTER PANIC MAN” Addy shouted curiously. Radiance was quick on the draw, however.

“Adelaide” she warned, pressing her fingers on her lips.

“Oh. Sorry” she said a bit sheepishly before continuing. “Rad Le Fey told me that people back then....that they called each other...” Addy looked around and blushed before cupping her hands around her mouth and whispering “potty names.”

This comment was followed by a round of embarrassed giggles from several of the students, Rad was nodding proudly and still prodding an ever irritated Constantine with his finger. Radiance even laughed a little, Panic just looked like he might pass out.

“Oh dear” she commented, regaining her composure and realizing that Panic did not have an answer for the girl. “Well thats not very nice is it?” she answered evasively, knowing full well that people stilled called each other “potty names” today, though she was pretty confident that not every single person was assigned such a name back in the day.

Ingrid raised her hand now, she had not been laughing, nor even cracked a smile.

“Mr. Panic.” she addressed him formally.

Panic eye’d her carefully, but managed a small nod in acknowledgment.

“What was Beowulf like?” she asked with a furrowed brow.

Scary. Panic wanted to say, but he swallowed hard, looked at his great grandchild for comfort and managed a few quiet words. “H-he was a viking.” he said plainly. This got several gasps, Ingrid even smirked. Rad looked confused, but said nothing. Panic felt encouraged by this reaction and mustered up enough confidence to continue.

“He w-was brave and ssstrong” he said, feeding off of the fire of interest he could see growing in Ingrid's dark eyes. “H-he-” “MISTER PANIC MAN.”

Panic jumped at Adelaide’s shout, the ever patient Ms.Glisten simply sigh and waited for her to continue.

“WHY DO YOU TALK LIKE THAT?”

Panic’s light eye’s grew even sadder and Ms.Glisten looked rather ashamed.

“Adelaide Mumble!” she said, her tone at it’s sternest “That was terribly rude of you, I’d like you to apologize to Mr.Panic right-” “No, it’s okay” Panic interjected quietly, something about the look on his face caused her to simply tighten her lips and remain silent. The mood of the room had darkened significantly and even the more distracted children watched him with big, curious eyes. Little Trent seemed especially concerned and, after a moment or two, decided to stand and moved silently into the space beside his great Granddad. He took his hand without hesitation and offered him a little smile. Panic released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d be holding and returned the tiny grin. Like Panic, little Trent didn’t have much other family. He was orphaned at the age of two and only really had his Grandmother, Nancy, and Panic for company. He gestured for his father figure to lean down as if he had a secret to tell. Panic wrinkled his brow slightly, but followed his instructions gladly.

“I like the way yous talk” he whispered into his ear.

Panic couldn’t help but grin. “Thank you” he whispered back before straighten up and glancing back at the class that had obviously begun to lose interest in this whole situation. Addy, it would seem, was far more interested by the dark shade of red that flushed Constantine’s face as he desperately tried to ignore Rad. Most the other students were looking to Ms.Glisten for how to react to this strange moment. As always, it was left up to her to get things moving again.

“I think it’s about time I assigned you all a forefather now” She said brightly, in hopes of lightening the mood once more. “Then Mr.Panic can tell you more about each one, how does that sound?”

Constantine, already so irritated, could not help from bursting “Well I don’t have to be Redd Heart do I?!”