Off The Beaten Path

This is for Lexi! The proposition was Claudine providing some comfort to Maya when her parents were giving her a hard time, but I kind of expanded on it and ran away with this haha

I've done something similar before in Healing Kisses, but for this one it's much more in-depth and more. satisfying, I'd say~

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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                                                     Off The Beaten Path


Seishou Music Academy holds a variety of events and performances throughout the course of the school year, most of which are intended for teenaged or young adult audiences like the actresses themselves. However, there are occasional times when the students will put on a show directed more towards older audiences, or even younger ones.

News of their next upcoming play excites the girls when they hear it will be one of the latter category; a play directed at younger audiences, mainly children. There is always a certain level of pride and enthusiasm that goes into their plays, but for some reason, performing for the little ones always has a different feeling to it, one that entails less stress and more fun.

The votes are cast early-on, and it's decided they will be performing a version of the classic Little Red Riding Hood. Auditions are held a few days later, and then the results are finally revealed; the lead Red Riding Hood will be played by Claudine, the Wolf by Nana, the Grandmother by Mahiru, the Huntsman by Futaba, the Narrator by Junna, and Red Riding Hood's Mother will be Maya.

It's certainly not every day when Maya will be cast as a minor role, and certainly not when Claudine is the lead. While part of her is initially a little disappointed in herself for not claiming the main role, Maya doesn't let herself feel that way for long.

She is happy for Claudine especially to have landed the lead, and although Maya strives to become Top Star and claim the throne for herself, she doesn't mind sharing the spotlight. That's something she'd only learned and considered after arriving at Seishou and meeting her friends.

Rather than hoard the glory all for herself and use everyone else as stepping stones to the top, she'd discovered things are much more enjoyable and much less isolating when she didn't always land the lead, and that feeling of accomplishment could rotate and be spread between her friends.

It is a small cast, but even so Maya had gotten a part, even if it is minor. And she intends to act it out phenomenally and convincingly, especially since their audience will be mostly children and their parents. Even in a minor role with very few lines, Maya will put in her best effort in hopes of inspiring the next generation.

The date of the play is decided for the end of the month on a Saturday evening. Several weeks beforehand, Maya, Claudine and their friends hold a small meeting in one of their classrooms after school to begin discussing it.

"All right," Junna says. "Listen up, everyone. Even though it's a well-known story and we have a small cast, that doesn't mean we can take it easy. We've still gotta knock those kids' socks off."

Beside her, Nana is beaming pleasantly.

"Of course! There's always something more exciting about performing for kids, isn't there?"

"It could prove to be a bit tricky at times, though," Kaoruko says. "After all, we don't want anyone running out crying."

"Right!" Karen says. "Banana, try not to be too big and bad and scary of a wolf, okay?"

"Roger!" Nana says, giving a salute.

"Actually," Junna continues. "I think just the fact that Nana is our wolf will give off the right impression from the start. After all, she's one of the only people taller than Saijou-san, so having her stand over Red Riding Hood will be a bit scary to the kids right from the start."

Hikari raises her hand a little, and everyone turns to her next.

"Since they're kids, maybe just going 'gaoo, gaaooo!' will be enough."

"Hikari-chan, that was pretty good!"

"I can't see Hikari as a wolf. Maybe the Grandma at best."

"Oh, that reminds me," Mahiru chimes in. "Which version will we be performing? Red Riding Hood has a lot of different stories."

"That's a very good point, Tsuyuzaki-san," Junna agrees. "We'll be doing one of the tamer versions for the kids."

"Right," Futaba says. "Some of them get kinda hairy. There's the one where the Huntsman cuts the wolf open to free Riding Hood and her grandma."

"Oh, oh!" Karen says excitedly. "And did you guys know there's even one where Little Red Riding Hood shoots the wolf herself?"

"Right…" Junna grimaces. "So we're going with the least graphic choice. Instead of eating the Grandmother, the Wolf will lock her in the closet, and before he can eat Red Riding Hood, the Huntsman will come and interfere. He'll scare the Wolf but won't kill it; it'll just run back into the forest."

"That sounds best!" Mahiru says. "If I think about my siblings seeing this, then I like that version the most."

"Me too!" Karen says. "It's better that no one dies in the end!"

"Agreed."

Everyone chats in a lively manner, but today, Maya and Claudine are rather quiet and content to just listen. They let the others do the talking for now, as most of what they want to say is said before they can open their mouths anyway, and they don't mind. They spend most of the time simply smiling and sharing amused looks with one another here or there.

After nearly half an hour, the rest of their seven friends have gotten very into their discussions, enough so that Claudine can turn to Maya and address her privately.

"Say, Tendo Maya."

Maya perks up and turns to her, giving Claudine her full attention.

"Yes?"

Claudine hesitates for a moment, seeming conflicted about something as her gaze drops momentarily. When she does finally meet Maya's gaze again, her expression is a little tight.

"Are you all right? You've been awfully quiet today and I was just… I mean, if it's because you didn't get the lead role or something-"

Maya lifts her hands up to stop her.

"My, Saijou-san, please don't concern yourself over me. I am absolutely fine." Maya smiles, touched by Claudine's consideration for her. Claudine huffs and crosses her arms.

"I wasn't concerned over you. I was going to say if you're pouting because I got the main role, then you need to get over yourself… But if that's not the case, then I'm glad."

"Of course." Maya smiles a charming grin at her, and her alone. "I do appreciate your thinking of me regardless, Saijou-san. But I am not upset in the slightest. In fact, I am very happy right now. So much so that I am simply enjoying being here and listening to everyone. I am very much looking forward to this play, especially considering it will be intended for children."

She feels a soft fluttering in her chest as she thinks of the young Elle she's met several times now. Part of her hopes that Elle will be in this audience to watch them all give a wonderful performance.

And not only her; Maya thinks of all the other children who will be coming as well, some of whom will definitely grow up to become the next wave of actors here at Seishou.

She must get lost in thought for a moment, because when she comes back to reality, Claudine is smiling bemusedly at her.

"Earth to Tendo Maya? Goodness, you really have a soft spot for the children, don't you?"

"But of course," Maya nods. "They are our future. It is our duty as actresses to serve them just as well as we serve everyone else in the audience. And besides…" Something trickles through her unexpectedly then, a small wave of listlessness. Fragments of memories she can't exactly recall all the way flash in the corners of her mind, but only for a second, and then they're gone.

"Besides," she murmurs, voice lowering. "Seeing a play may be the most fun some of them have had in a long time. It may be their escape from difficult circumstances. We have to make sure it will be a performance they will never forget." She isn't sure which memories are threatening to surface, but Maya tries to fight them all down regardless. She'd been enjoying herself today. She doesn't want to think about the past-

"Bien sûr!" Claudine says loudly, as though to pointedly draw Maya back into the present. When Maya looks up at her, she can see the hint of understanding in Claudine's eyes, as if she knows exactly where Maya's mind is taking her right now. She doesn't pry or address it out loud, to Maya's relief, but instead helps her brush the thoughts off. Claudine puffs out her chest and flips her hair over her shoulder.

"After all, with me as the lead actress, I'll be giving those kids the best play they've ever seen! They'll be enamored! In awe! Absolutely- H-Hey! What are you laughing about?"

"Forgive me." Maya covers her mouth with her hand and tries to stifle the chuckles that have bubbled up. She knows exactly what Claudine had done, playing things up and making humor of the situation to help ease Maya's mind.

When she finally recovers from the bout of giggles, Maya looks up and Claudine is giving her a questioning look, one that asks if she's all right now. Maya smiles and dips her head in gratitude.

"Thank you, Saijou-san. You've fired me up even more now."

Claudine nods, satisfied.

"Good. Make sure you don't slack off in your role, Tendo Maya."

"Bien sûr, Saijou Claudine."

Claudine sputters.

"You are so annoying…"

Maya chuckles again. And just like that, Claudine had saved Maya from herself. Without drawing anyone else's attention, and without directly addressing it with words, Claudine had read Maya, understood her feelings, and brought her to a better place in a matter of minutes.

Maya feels no more of the discomfort of a few moments ago. All of it's been replaced by a fond and heartfelt warmth.

She slides her chair a little bit closer to Claudine's now, making sure their legs effectively block their hands from view before Maya takes one of hers. Claudine makes a soft sound of surprise, but once she realizes no one else has noticed, she relaxes and lets her fingers thread through Maya's.

They listen to the rest of the discussion together in silence, and Maya leans a little closer to her until their shoulders brush. If only for a little while, she indulges in Claudine's support of her, both physical and emotional.

If only Maya could lean on her for everything…

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That evening, she gets a phone call.

Maya is alone in her room, preparing for bed when it happens. She's already wished all of her friends goodnight, and any of them could knock on her door if need be, so she knows right away it's someone else calling her.

And it's like she can physically feel her heart dropping like a stone into the pit of her stomach.

She has no choice but to answer, and when she does her fingers tremble as she swipes the screen to accept. She has to fight to keep her voice steady.

"Good evening, Father."

"I'll keep this brief."

His voice is as cold and stern as it's ever been, lacking any emotion or concern for her. Hearing it makes her feel queasy with unease. Maya draws in a deep, steadying breath as he continues.

"Your mother and I are hosting a competition. You will make arrangements to come back that day and put on a performance for the opening ceremony. We've already set things in motion."

Maya feels as though sharp teeth are slowly closing around her chest, making it more and more difficult to breathe.

It's just like it's always been. He gives orders without letting her have the option of a choice. His word is already final.

Maya knows better than to resist his wishes.

She is quiet for a moment, but also knows it is foolish to keep him waiting. When she does speak, her voice is meek.

"…What day might this be?"

"The last Saturday of the month," he declares. "So it won't be a problem for you to leave school. You won't be missing any classes."

Maya feels the jaws clamp shut around her, the teeth piercing into her flesh, crushing every bone and organ in her torso. Breathlessly, she flounders to save herself.

"Um… pardon me, Father… but the Academy is holding a performance that day. I was cast in it."

There's a moment of dead silence, and Maya feels her heart pounding harder. She hates this. She hates it so much. She wants to be sick-

"Do you have a lead role?"

Maya gasps softly at the glimmer of hope - at the possibility that he may actually let her go.

"No, however I-"

"Then you should have no problem skipping," he decides. "If you weren't good enough to be cast as a lead, an understudy will easily take over whatever part you received. So you will come home and join your mother and I that day, and you will perform for our venue. It's decided."

She wants to scream. She wants to shout at him that no, nothing has been decided - not by her, at least.

But her heart and mind alike are too frightened to speak out against him, and her throat has long-since closed up as though she's been stung by hornets. Everything feels tight and swollen, and everything hurts. She can't say anything.

After a moment, her father ends the conversation.

"I expect you back the night before."

And then the call is ended.

As the dial tone drones in her ear like a flatlined pulse, Maya lets the phone drop onto her bed. She tries to inhale, but it doesn't work and she only ends up choking. Grabbing the bed post, she closes her eyes tightly as a prickling sensation peppers its way across her nose.

She can't let herself cry. She doesn't want to. If she cries it feels like that means he'd won.

She lifts her foot and stomps heavily enough to make a loud thud, channeling the frustration and anger that are surging through her, mixing with the sadness. She doesn't want to miss their play, even if she only has a minor role. She doesn't want to go back home to her parents. She doesn't want to perform for one of their events and be a trophy for them to showcase.

"I don't want to…"

It's always been this way. She'd always say it after the fact, but she could never say it to their faces. She couldn't defy them. She couldn't let them down.

She had to accept. Whatever they wanted, they got. It was the only life she'd ever known, and it still is.

She keeps her eyes shut long enough to fend off the tears, then opens them slowly. Maya draws in a shaking breath, stamping her foot again, though it's much weaker this time. Her whole body that had been tight and burning with that feeling of being trapped now begins to unravel helplessly. If not for her grip on the bed post, she would've fallen to her knees already.

"No…" she rasps. "I don't want to-"

A knock comes from behind her. And then a voice.

"Tendo Maya…?"

The door creaks open.

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Claudine had seen the distracted glaze in Maya's eyes earlier today during their meeting for the play. She'd known from that very instant that something had been prodding at Maya's mind, if only for a second or two. And even though Maya had bounced back and smiled again right away, and even though she'd held Claudine's hand for the rest of the evening whenever it was physically possible to do so, Claudine just has to be certain.

So she stops by Maya's room on her way back to her own for the evening, just to check on her, wish her goodnight, and give her a kiss. If anything is to be amiss, Claudine expects it to be something like Maya pouting a little bit.

But she certainly isn't expecting to hear a loud thudding sound.

Claudine's heart jolts in sudden fear, and her mind runs rampant with all the worst-case scenarios. Had she collapsed? If so, why?

As she rushes to Maya's door now, Claudine tries to reason that she could've just dropped something. But when the sound comes again a moment later, albeit a bit softer now, Claudine doesn't waste anymore time. She knocks and calls out for her.

"Tendo Maya…?"

Claudine pushes on the door and it gives, creaking open slowly. She steps in uninvited out of worry, finding the room dark, void of even moonlight.

But she can still make out Maya's form, standing but hunched over the foot of her bed. One fist is clenched in her nightgown, and the other has a white-knuckled grip on the bed post. Even from a distance, Claudine can hear her breathing unevenly, and she knows something isn't right.

"Maya-"

Letting the door close behind her, Claudine hurries in to her side. Maya turns to her, and Claudine skids to a halt a foot or so away. Her face is distraught, lips pursed tightly as though she's been trying to stop herself from screaming outright. Her brow is furrowed and tight-knit, and her eyes are swimming with distress, about to overflow.

But as Claudine reaches her, and as Maya realizes she's not alone anymore, she seems to remember how to breathe, just for a second.

"Saijou-san…"

Claudine reaches out to take her hand that she's had balled up in her nightgown, gently smoothing Maya's fingers out of their vice grip. She doesn't say anything yet, but simply coaxes Maya to let go of the bed post. Maya slowly releases it, reaching out for Claudine instead.

Claudine wraps her other arm around her waist, then gently guides her to sit down on the mattress. Maya is still clearly on the verge of being in shambles. Claudine strokes her fingers across her bangs, gingerly tucking a stray lock behind her ear. Maya looks at her like a mortal might look upon a goddess, pleading and scared.

"Claudine-"

Her voice is thick, and it makes Claudine angry. Angry to know something had happened to make her this upset, to cause her such distress.

Claudine feels a twisting in her stomach, the warring urge to help her and the urge to destroy whatever had made her this way. She takes both of Maya's hands now and holds her gaze with earnest, desperate eyes.

"What happened?" she demands gently, as she needs to know, but she doesn't want to make Maya think she's mad at her. To show it, Claudine wraps both arms around her shoulders and pulls her close, letting Maya hide her face.

A sob travels up Maya's chest, but there are no tears. She hugs Claudine in return, letting herself be greedy once again by leaning on her, by keeping her all to herself.

"My Father…"

And Maya tells her everything. About how he'd called out of the blue to make her come home, told her to skip their play so she could appease him instead, about how he'd diminished and belittled her part for being anything but a lead role.

Claudine listens in boiling, fuming silence. She'd had an inkling already since their class meeting, but for Maya's parents to have called her tonight and ruined everything for her like this…

Claudine doesn't realize she's started to squeeze Maya tighter, possessively and defensively. If Maya's father walked through the door right now, Claudine would sooner be hauled off to prison than let him take Maya from her. She just has to stop herself before her nails start to dig into Maya's back - she may be angry, but not at her.

Maya has grown quiet in her arms now, still sighing and sniffling without tears. She sounds so defeated - nothing at all like the proud and confident Tendo Maya everyone knows and admires. This is the girl no one else sees, the girl behind closed doors, backed into a corner by her own family.

Claudine holds onto her, trying to control her own frustrations for Maya's sake if nothing else. She already knows the answer, but she needs Maya to say it out loud.

"So…" she murmurs. "Do you want to go?"

Maya shakes her head, burrowing into Claudine's neck.

"No… I don't want to…"

"And did you tell him that…?"

Maya sighs again.

"No. It isn't that simple. I can't just-" Her hold on Claudine tightens, and Claudine softens hers in turn.

"I'm sorry," she whispers, petting through her hair. "I shouldn't have said that. I don't mean to sound like I'm blaming you." She cradles the back of Maya's head with her hand, brushing their cheeks together in apology. "I know it's easier said than done. Especially with a situation like that…"

After all, those on the outside looking in tend to blame those who are trapped. Why don't they just leave? Why don't they just refuse? It seems to be so easy to break away from the hold their tormentors have over them. But only those who have lived in that fear can understand.

"I'm sorry," Claudine murmurs again. "I just don't want them to win. Not again."

Maya gives her a gentle squeeze, to let Claudine know she hasn't hurt or offended her in any way.

"I understand your sentiment. Thank you, Saijou-san."

"It's not fair-" Claudine snaps. "Even if it wasn't on the day of the play, you shouldn't have to go running back at their beck and call, especially when you don't even want to!"

She eases away now, keeping her hands around Maya, but moving away enough to look into her eyes; Claudine's are narrowed and furious at people she's never even met before.

"It's absurd. They think they can just do whatever they please with you whenever they please simply because they're your parents? As far as I'm concerned they have no right. All your life they've been pulling this nonsense and treating you like another one of their trophies! All they want is for you to be something else they can brag about! How selfish can they be? Asking you to skip our play- no! They didn't even ask! They're making you! And I won't stand for it! Don't they realize you've become your own person? That you have a life of your own and are more than capable and deserving of surviving without them? I've had enough of these parents of yours! Honestly! Of all the selfish, pig-headed, ill-mannered, no-good idiots-!"

But Claudine cuts off from her rant suddenly when she hears a sound she wasn't expecting to hear right now.

The sound of laughter. Soft and timid and wobbly, but Maya is chuckling.

Claudine's jaw drops in disbelief and relief all at once, until she sees the tears start to drip down Maya's face. Now, Claudine panics.

"H-Hey-!" She chokes, cupping her palm to Maya's face. "Tendo Maya! What-?"

But Maya is smiling as she shakes her head, finally opening her eyes again to meet hers.

"No. I apologize, Saijou-san. I didn't mean to make you worry. I just…" She pulls Claudine in to her chest and embraces her warmly. "I'm not certain what came over me. It's just… to have you get so animated for my sake… for you to stand up for me and defend me… I feel as though I've finally met the hero I'd always longed for… Thank you…" She breaks down, crying softly into Claudine's hair.

And her words make Claudine inexplicably happy and angry all over again; happy to have made her feel a little better, but furious at the notion that Maya had had no one else to defend her like this against her parents all her life.

It makes her so angry that it drains everything from her all at once. Claudine slumps against her, putting her remaining strength into the hug, a silent message to Maya:

I'm here. You've got me now, no matter what.

And Maya receives her message, loud and clear. The suffocating pressure that's been gnarled inside her since she'd heard her phone ring is now unraveling, letting her remember how to breathe, and what it feels like to be safe again. She weeps, shedding tears of liberation and gratitude into Claudine's shoulder.

She loves her so much. She just hopes Claudine knows.

Now that Claudine is certain Maya is all right, she continues with her rantings to help her feel better.

"That father of yours," she grumbles. "I'll be he's going bald. And your mother probably can't differentiate between a ballad and a ballet."

And they're silly, harmless comments, but they make Maya laugh all the more.

Claudine is grateful she'd come to her tonight and been able to help in some way.

And Maya is more grateful to her than words can express. She giggles at Claudine's comments until the tears stop.

At this point, Claudine eases back from her, cupping her face with both hands now to kiss her.

"Be honest with me now, Tendo Maya," she murmurs, staring up into her eyes. "Are you all right?"

Maya's heart is still pounding a little, but it's less from nervousness and dismay about her parents, and much more from glee and love for Claudine.

"Yes. I'm all right now."

Claudine is relieved to hear that, but she's still miffed. After a moment she carefully brings up the issue at-hand again.

"I'm glad. But… so you'll be missing our play then, right?" Her shoulders slump beneath Maya's hands. "It's all right. Karen knows your lines, so she can take over. It won't be the same without you… but I understand it's better for you not to ruffle your parents' feathers. Until you're in a better position, it's just safer to do as they say, right?"

Her heart is sad and angry again now thinking about doing this play without Maya. Claudine already hates to think about being onstage talking to Karen instead and knowing that Maya is somewhere far away doing something she doesn't want to be doing with people she doesn't want to be with. She hates to think the rest of them will all be having fun without her. It makes tears start to well up behind her eyes.

"It's so unfair. I don't want to do this play without you, Tendo Maya."

"Then you won't."

"Eh…?" Claudine looks back up at her. Maya's grip on her has tightened again, and her eyes have hardened with resolve. Her voice is steady and strong this time.

"You will not have to do this play without me, Claudine." Maya offers a slight smirk. "I have decided to ruffle some feathers."

It takes Claudine a second to understand, but once she does she feels her heart lift.

"You- Are you-?" She shakes her head, taking one of Maya's hands in hers. "Are you sure? Listen… realistically, if it's smarter and safer for you to appease them, then you should-"

"I know." Maya covers both of Claudine's hands in hers. She draws each of them to her lips and kisses them in turn. "I understand what you are trying to say, Claudine. But I have decided that you're right. I have lived far too long in my parents' shadow, doing as they want me to. And the longer I continue to obey their demands, the more difficult it will be to break free." She holds herself high, with a smile on her lips. "Therefore, I will start tonight. I will begin a new chapter in my book."

Claudine blinks. A single ray of moonlight slips in past the curtains now and illuminates Maya. She is glowing, but not only from that.

Claudine's heart flutters, bouncing a little faster as a surge of affection washes through her. She isn't about to question her a second time. She smiles, pulling Maya into a firm kiss to share some of her energy.

"All right then, Tendo Maya. I believe you've got a phone call to make."

So Maya picks up her phone and holds it in her lap. Claudine holds her other hand and stays close, wrapping her in a side-hug. It takes Maya some time to finally dial, but Claudine doesn't rush her.

As Maya inhales and lifts the phone to her ear, Claudine stays calm and supportive beside her. She listens quietly as Maya greets her father, and then begins to speak her mind.

She tells him of her upcoming play with her colleagues - her friends - of her role and her intentions of acting it out no matter what. To Maya, it doesn't matter how small the part is; if it is a part she has been granted to play on a stage she can share with the people she loves, then it is the most important role ever to her.

She puts her foot down, so to speak, making it known to her father that she will not be attending his event, that she has much more important things to be doing.

And whenever he attempts to persuade her otherwise, Maya doesn't let him speak. Not until the end, when he grunts and decides she can attend his next event, if she is not already spoken for.

Maya wishes him a good night and hangs up.

Then, she goes limp with relief in Claudine's arms, showing just how nervous she'd been all the while.

Claudine can feel her heart pounding a little as she slowly lies down beside her.

"Well done, Tendo Maya. That was quite impressive. I'm proud of you."

Maya whimpers, nestling her face into Claudine's chest. She's never heard those words from her parents before, and she's almost glad for it. Because hearing them from Claudine now makes their meaning all the warmer, and more earnest.

Maya hugs her as tightly as she can, leaving a small kiss on Claudine's collar.

"Thank you," she murmurs. "Truly Claudine, I-"

Claudine hushes her with a soft kiss.

"I know."

Maya cuddles close to her, craving the comforting sound of her heartbeat.

Claudine pulls the blankets over them both, kissing the top of Maya's head.

A sense of liberation fills each of them, the feeling of having broken one of many chains.

But even just that one is a major step - a catalyst for greater things to come in time.

And for tonight, that start is more than enough.

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After weeks of rehearsing, the day of the play is a major success.

Maya has no regrets about skipping her parents' event in favor of this one.

She plays her part as Little Red Riding Hood's Mother flawlessly, secretly melting when Claudine uses her cute, innocent child's voice to respond to her.

Junna narrates Claudine's journey off the path into the woods, her encounters with Nana, her discovery of Mahiru missing from her bed, and finally her meeting with Futaba.

Once the Big Bad Wolf has been chased away, and Claudine has rescued Mahiru from the locked closet, they and Futaba are joined onstage by Nana and Maya.

The cast of five take a bow as the audience applauds.

Maya stands at Claudine's side, and when she looks out into the theater, she sees dozens and dozens of happy, wonder-filled children clapping back at her.

After a moment, everyone steps back for Claudine to give a short, planned speech to the younger viewers to conclude the performance.

"Now then, everyone," she says brightly. "The only reason Little Red Riding Hood got tricked by the Wolf was because she disobeyed her mother and left the path like she wasn't supposed to. That's why many people say the moral of this story is that you should listen to your parents."

Everyone nods, and several little chorusing voices in the audience agree. Maya and the others nod as well from their spots behind Claudine.

But then, to their surprise - and particularly Maya's - Claudine suddenly extends her speech in an impromptu continuation.

"However…" Claudine says once it's quiet again. Maya watches her curiously as Claudine turns back briefly, catching her eye with a smile before she returns her gaze to the audience. "However. I would say it's all right to question your parents and the adults in your life from time to time. After all, if Little Red Riding Hood hadn't disobeyed her mother and stepped off the beaten path, then this story wouldn't exist at all. Don't you think?"

She leaves it at that, letting the question and its implications linger in the air for a moment.

Then she turns her back as one final applause rises up, and finally the announcement to exit the theater is made.

As everyone onstage hugs and congratulates one another, Maya and Claudine never take their eyes off one another.

Without a word, Maya opens her arms, and Claudine goes to her.

Maya thanks her with a sweet, appreciative kiss.

Now she knows that one day she will surely find her freedom with Claudine at her side.

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A/N: This literally started out as "Claudine comforts Maya after her parents upset her" but as I was writing I was like 'oh Maya need to be a minor role and her parents say that's not good enough and OH at the end Claudine will give a speech about how your parents aren't always right' and it all just spilled out onto the pages.

But I'm really proud of it; the hurt/comfort and Claudine's speech as well! Also, I just wanted Claudine to go off about Maya's parents being jerks haha

I hope you all enjoyed! Thank you again so much to Lexi!