The Gladrags Legacy: Chapter 9- Her Morning Report

The Gladrags Legacy

Chapter 9- Her Morning Report

Hi there! After a huge disaster when all my custom hair, clothes and eyes disappeared, they are now all back (Thanks to Jo, who writes The Mobacy- I owe her so much). Anywhoo, when we left off, Shenzi had been bitten by the wolf Balin, or as she called him, Kimura. She fainted, but was completely unaware that she’s now a werewolf. Let’s watch, shall we?

Or, In which the Author shoehorns in the name of a song from the Lion King

The sound of the heart monitor rang in Caractacus’s ears. He was currently in AMGH, or Ankh Morpork General Hospital, watching his daughter sleep. The doctor said he couldn’t find medically wrong with Shenzi, so there was nothing he could do to help her. He has to be wrong thought Caractacus. People don’t collapse for no reason.

She was kept in over night, but was coming back today. Caractacus was a scientist, but he had no idea what could possibly be wrong with her. As the doctor had said, there was nothing medically wrong with her.

Shenzi slept on, unaware of the catastrophic event that had the potential to ruin her life...

“Oh Shenzi!” Dunstan ran to the door and embraced her. “I thought I might have lost you...”“Dad, seriously, Shenzi’s ok.”“I was so worried.”“Dad, Shenzi’s fine!” Dunstan let go. His deep blue eyes were shimmering with tears. “Ok, if you’re sure honey. I’ve... I’ve got work. I’ll see you tonight, ok?”“Yes Dad.”

Shenzi sighed, and sat down. Everything seemed to be getting back to normal...

“Shenzi! You’re back!” Zazu leapt out as if from nowhere. Shenzi yelled.“Zazu! You scared Shenzi!”“Oops, didn’t mean to, sorry.”“What’s with the creepy smile?”“Well, Dad says we should all be super happy when we’re around you. To make you feel better, you know.” Zazu sighed. “I think it’s a load of baloney to be honest with you, but I thought I should at least try.”

“That’s nice, but Shenzi thinks that she’ll be ok!” They both laughed.“... I’ve missed you. Did-Did they find out why you-”“No.”“Oh.” Zazu looked worried.“Zazu, Shenzi will be fine.”“You can’t be sure of that though!”

“Shenzi always lands on her feet!”“If you say so.” They hugged. “Besides,” said Zazu. “I’ve been doing your share of the housework while you’ve been gone. I think I deserve a prize for cleaning your room, it’s filthy Shenzi.”Shenzi laughed again. “That’s so like you. Shenzi might sleep for a while, ok? Shenzi tired.”“Ok sis.”Shenzi slept all day. She dreamt of cats turning into dogs, who turned into humans, who turned into horrific monsters, and chased her into a terrifying black abyss. She woke up sweating and out of breath.It’s just a dream. She went to get a drink of water from the kitchen, remembering her fall the night before. Tigger was sitting on the floor by the stairs.“Here kitty kitty kitty!”

Tigger hissed and backed away. Shenzi was shocked, she was one of the few that their viscous cats would ever play with or permit to stroke them. “Tigger, it’s Shenzi!” Tigger was alarmed. The girl was different. She had changed. She reeked of dog. He turned tail and fled out of the door into the garden.

“Tigger!” Shenzi followed him outside. “You can’t stay out here all night!” The night was dark, but suddenly the clouds parted. The silvery pale moonlight fell upon Shenzi’s skin, and she suddenly began to feel very dizzy again. “Dad!”

But it was too late. Her skin felt like it was on fire, and thick, dark hair was growing there. Her legs buckled under her and she fell to her knees. Her fingernails grew, sharpened to a point like claws, and golden light engulfed her face.

The light faded, and Shenzi got up, panting.What had happened? She felt the hair on her face and arms, and stared at her clawed hands.So that dog... Was a wolf. And he made Shenzi...“A werewolf.” She cried weakly.

Shenzi’s a monster... She ran sobbing inside, and locked the door to her room. No-one could see her like this.

She examined her new features. Out of all of them, it was the eyes that made her feel the worst. Her usual nut brown eyes had changed to a vivid amber yellow. They had changed shaped too, they didn’t look doe eyed as she was used to, but sharp, angular and narrowed. Her pupils had become ebony slits, and she could see nothing of herself in them any more. She was... Wolf like.“Shenzi, I heard you shout, are you-” Caractacus stopped. He too saw the thick black hair on her body, and the yellowed claws on her hands.“D-Don’t look Dad. Don’t look at Shenzi.”“... What happened?”

So Shenzi explained everything to her dad, how the dog had bitten her and that she was now“A werewolf?”“Yes!” Shenzi sobbed. “Shenzi’s disgusting! Shenzi’s a freak!” She burst into tears again. Caractacus patted her on the back whilst she cried into his shoulder. “You’re not a freak. You’re one of my three favourite girls, and nothing will ever change that.”

*sniff* “Really?”“Of course!” Caractacus broke the embrace. “You are still as beautiful as you’ve always been darling. I don’t care if you’re a werewolf, you’re still my extra special little girl.”“B-B-But Shenzi’s friends, they’ll make fun of Shenzi!”“Then they’re not proper friends. If they really like you they’ll respect who you are, not what you are.”“But even so, they’ll tell everyone about it!”“If you want, we can keep this between you and me, ok?

“... What about Dad?”“Do you want to tell him?”“... Shenzi thinks so, yes. And Zazu, Zazu loves Shenzi so much.”“Ok then. But no-one else will know, okay? We’ll just have to keep you out of people’s way at night. We’ll keep you at home, where it’s safe.”“Ok. Shenzi loves you Dad.”“I love you too sweetheart.”They hugged each other for a while, neither one saying a thing. They both knew there was a very long and scary road ahead.

“Splish Splash Splosh, Splish Splash Splosh,”Timon, why are you jumping in puddles this late at night? You must be freezing.“The Quibbler said it keeps Nargles away.”No Timon, it can’t possibl-“Splish Splash Splosh, Splish Splash Splosh.”Ugh.

Every night Shenzi would painfully transform into her lupine state. She would stay shut in her room, and miserably contemplate how different her life could have been if she had not bitten. A lot of the girls in her class had been invited to a sleep over this night. They would all be watching films and eating junk while she stared blankly at her reflection. It wasn’t out of vanity, she just was just incredibly self conscious about herself now. She had once been confident and happy with herself, but now... Even in her normal form, she saw herself as hideous. A monster.But she knew that there had to be a way out, a way to stop her transforming.A cure.So she searched and googled and scoured the internet for some mention, some possibility, some chance that someone in the world could cure her, and make her normal again.But she found nothing.

“C’mon Timon, time for bed!”“Awww, I don’t wanna go to bed!”“Oh look, there’s a blibbering humdinger!”“Where?!” “It just ran into your room! Go find it!” Timon sped upstairs. “I shall call him Squishy, and he shall be mine, and he shall be my Squishy.”“Hehe, works every time.”

“Hey Shenzi! Your dad let us in.” Shenzi’s friends Misa Misa and Takki had arrived at the house. “We missed you at Melissa’s party yesterday. It was no fun without you, even Melissa said she really wished you were there” said Takki.“Yeah! We needed you Shenzi! Ah well, it’s no big deal, right!” Misa grinned at Shenzi. Although Misa’s cheery disposition was usually refreshing, Shenzi wasn’t in the mood. She needed to be down for a while, not her usual up beat and peppy.“So, Melissa and Katie were telling us about this awesome competition!”“Here we go.” Takki sounded exasperated. “But for what it’s worth you would be great at it.”“Hey! I want to tell her Takki! Anyway, it’s this model-actress competition- first prize actually gets signed up to the company! How awesome is that!” Misa beamed again. “So we figured we’d all enter. You’ll enter, right?

“...Ummm,” “Oh come on, Shenzi! You haven’t been the same since you fainted the other week. Are you ill? Oh my God, are you PREGNANT?!” Misa gasped.“NO!”“Oh. Well, why are you so down then? It’s not like you.”“... Shenzi’s not the right person for it. But you should definitely give it a go!” She forced a weak smile.

“I don’t really want to do it anyway, but Shenzi you’d be fantastic.” Takki wasn’t one to lie through her teeth. “I know you’re not feeling that great at the moment, but if you don’t go for it I just know you’ll regret it.”

“Well... Shenzi will ask her Dad, but he probably wont let Shenzi do it.”“Well, at least that’s a start!” Takki smiled.

They hugged tightly. “YAY!” Misa yelled. “I’m gonna ask your Dad right now!” She rocketed down the stairs. “Misa!” Shenzi had never intended to ask one of her parents whether she could go at all. But if Misa told them...

“That sounds like a great idea!” Shenzi reached the pair too late. “Shenzi, you’d be great at that!”“So she can go?”“Of course!”“YAY!” Misa cried. Shenzi groaned. How on earth would she get out of if now?“Ok Mr Gladrags, we have to go home now. Bye!”“BYE DUNSTAN!” Misa waved manically before she left, the door clanging behind her. Shenzi sighed. “Shenzi’s sorry about that Dad. Shenzi wont go.”“Of course you can go! You’d be amazing!”“But Dad, Shenzi doesn’t want to go!”“Why not?”“Because- Because there’d be loads of other girls there, and Shenzi wouldn’t be as good as them and it would be humiliating!”

“Shenzi.” Dunstan put his hand on her shoulder. “I know you don’t feel that confident about yourself now, but trust me, no one can tell. You wouldn’t be going out at night, you’re just going to an audition. Like a normal girl!”“But Shenzi’s not normal! Shenzi’s a werewolf!”“At night. During the day you’re the same as everyone else!”

Dunstan yawned. “Timon, it’s three in the morning, what are you doing?”“Me and Mr Teddy are looking for Hinky Punks in the dishwasher of course!”*yawn* “That’s nice dear...”

“...”“I’m not going to force you darling. You can tell your friends that I changed my mind and I can be the bad guy if you want. But is that really what you want?”“... No. Shenzi wants to audition.” “You sure?”“Yes.”“Ok then darling.”

Nerves were eating away at Shenzi. She had butterflies in her stomach, and as she waited in the queue at the competition her whole body was shaking. “Shenzi can’t do this, Dad.”“You’ve come this far. Hang on in there darling.” She stood there for an hour, gripping her father’s arm, until it was her turn next.

It was Melissa, the girl who’s sleepover she had missed. Shenzi couldn’t watch- the nerves were obviously getting to her.“...Umm, err, H-Hi, my n-names Melissa.” Shenzi could barely hear her from where she stood. Her whole body trembled, and her voice shook. She was hunched over and seemed to be addressing the floor. She rung her hands, and forgot what to say next. “I...”“Do you have anything of worth to say?”Melissa shook more. “I..”“Then leave.” The dark haired man didn’t say this loudly, but there was such venom in his voice that Melissa flinched.“Please! Let me have another shot!”“I have no room for whiners and cry babies in my company. Now go!”

She burst into tears and ran straight out the door.“Next!” the woman sitting next to him said sharply.

“Sometimes I wonder if we’ll ever get anything decent. Now, the next girl! Up! Now!”

Shenzi walked calmly up to the mike and took a deep breath. Nothing to lose...“Hi! I’m Shenzi! I like reading, singing, acting and hanging out with my friends! I have two sisters and a brother- sometimes they’re annoying but I love them!” She laughed musically. “My two best friends are Takki and Misa Misa, and I’d really like to sign on to your company! Thanks!”

Shenzi waited, her heart pounding. The blood rushed to her ears, and she felt like electricity was running through her. Their faces were blank. And then the man cracked a smile. “Thank you Shenzi. You can sit down now.”

“Thanks!” She walked off stage, her legs like jelly. There was nothing else to do but wait. Finally, after what seemed like hours, all the girls had finished.

All the girls were lined up against the hard brick wall. There were nine of them in total who had made it past the first, preliminary rounds. Shenzi felt a prickle of excitement at the back of her throat, but she was still trembling. The raven haired judge walked up and down the line, with a sneer plastered across his face. Finally, he spoke.

“Hmmm, you’re a yes. Just.”

“And you.”“YES!”

“No.”*thinks evil thoughts*

“Nope.”“Awww.”

“Honey, not if my life depended on it.”Melissa burst into tears again.

“No, you don’t have the right look.”

“Not you.”“Meh, life goes on.”

“Not you either.”“No fair!”

He paused in front of Shenzi, as if to drink her in. “Yes. Yes, you.”Shenzi grinned. A wave of relief washed over her- but then she remembered there was another stage of competition yet.

“Oh well done Shenzi!” Misa came running over to her. “I knew you’d get a place. How come you dropped the third person thing?”“Shenzi dials it down around people she doesn’t know. Plus Shenzi thought they might not like it. Shenzi really wanted this.”“I told you you would! Anyway, good luck! I know you can beat them!”“Thanks!” Misa ran away again, but was followed by Takki.“You did great Shenzi. Didn’t we say you would? Look I’ve got to run, but just know we’re all wishing you luck!”“Is Melissa ok?”“She’ll survive. Bit shaken but she’ll bounce back. Good luck!” And with that she too walked back stage.

Shenzi looked around. The two other girls were standing separated from each other. The red headed girl look incredibly nervous. Gingerly, Shenzi approached her. “Hi. I’m Shenzi.”“Sophie.” She looked how Shenzi felt; terrified but exhilarated.“Good luck, I know you’ll do really well! I watched you audition- you were fantastic!” “Thank you!” The colour came back to her cheeks a little at the compliment. “You were great too- good luck!”

Shenzi thought she ought to wish the other girl her best too. “Hi, I’m Shenzi!”“Kimberley.” Kimberley’s voice wasn’t nervous- it was cool and confident, but tinged with anger and disapproval. “Good luck for the-”“I don’t need good luck, Shanaynay.”“It’s Shenzi.”“Whatever. Only losers need luck, I get by on pure talent. So you can take your luck,” she paired the word with a poke. “You’ll need it.” At that moment, the brown haired assistant called “Who’s first Juan?”“I am.” Kimberley pushed past Shenzi and walked into the room where the next part was being held.

“You girls wait here.” They sat down on a squashy leather sofa. Shenzi sank into it, and her nerves increased.They said very little- Shenzi didn’t know how Sophie felt, but she felt like if she opened her mouth she’d vomit. Finally, after what seemed like hours the assistant called out “Sophie Fisher. You’re next.” Sophie whispered “Good Luck” and slipped quietly into the room. Shenzi was left alone to contemplate what horror of a test awaited her in that room. Strangely, it felt like no time at all had passed when she was called in. The room was much the same as the previous ones, all brick walls and wooden floors, but there was a camera and lots of lights. “Now.” said Juan. “Let’s see what you can do.”

“Now don’t be worried, these don’t have to be perfect, we just want to see your potential.”And by the end of the shoot, they agreed that she had a hell of a lot of potential. She could look cute, sexy, moody, bold and dynamic- she was everything they wanted.

It wasn’t all together surprising when this happened.“Shenzi, you’re our girl.”“Awww, ok. Well done Shenzi!”

“What?!”“I’m sorry, Kimi.”“It’s KIMBERLEY.”“Whatever. You were just too fierce for the camera darling.”“ This is a joke right?”“Sorry, that’s life Kaytlyn.”“KIMBERLEY!”

At first, Shenzi didn’t realise what had happened. The news sunk in gradually, and she stood stock still. She gradually cracked a smile, and her brain seemed to realise what she had heard was actually true. Her daze was only broken by the slamming of a door- Kimberley had stormed out in a huff. Sophie hugged her, and when she finally left the studio she realised she was running late for Simba’s birthday party. She ran the last few streets, fuelled by her elation at winning the contest.

“I’m so proud of you honey! I’m sure you’ll be a great model- I’m proud of all my kids.” Caractacus hugged her. “Now come on, your brother’s blowing out the candles!”

Simba clambered up to the large white cake.I wish I could be heir...

*Snigger* Nice outfit choice Simba.“Shaddup.”

Now that’s much better. Continuing my tradition of forgetting to find out their stats, this is Teen Simba. I’m pretty sure he’s a romance sim, but I could be wrong. Oops.

“This is hard...”“You just have to practice Misa.” said Timon in her airy, dream like voice.“Budapest is the capital of which country... Timon, do you know?”“It’s Hungary I think...”“Hungary’s a country?! I’ve heard of Turkey but I’ve never heard of Hungary?!”“I’m pretty sure Hungary is the right answer Mi-”“I’m going to put Europe, Europe’s a country, right?”

“Sssh, Becky, don’t talk, I’ve thought of a plan.”“Really?!” she exclaimed.“Ssssh! We’re going to give you two a romantic night in, where you can talk about your feelings and make him realise that he loves you, not Cecilia. Norma’s distracting him now.”“Sooo, Cecilia isn’t it? A bird like you needs to know that there’s a secret 50% off sale at the GAP on the corner tomorrow night- think of the bargains, Cecilia, just think of them!”“You’re right! I must have them!”

Simba sat in the club, trying to blend in with the adults. He’d managed to convince the bouncer- just. Better not try to get any alcohol he thought. It’ll just cause trouble. “Hey. Anyone sitting here?”

A tall brunette girl had walked over to him. She didn’t wait for an answer. “Two Vodkas please.” She asked the bartender. They had no trouble believing she was eighteen. “So, what’s your name?”“... Simba.” The usually smooth romance sim was tongue tied.“Kimberley.”“...H-Hi.”

“So...” she put her hand on his leg. “My friends told me you’re a possible legacy heir. What’s that like?”“It’s... Quite normal really. My family are just like any other.” He was becoming more relaxed now.“I like the sound of that. Wanna dance?”“Sure.”

“You having a good time?” she asked him.“Yeah, definitely!”

“Good... I like your style Simba. Strong and silent.”“... Err.”“Shut up and kiss me.”

But she got there first. *ahem* This is awkward.

And they soon became... Better acquainted.*ahem* Ugh, do I really have to be here while he makes out with this tart?...

I don’t know why this is funny, but their total lack of privacy amuses me.

“Simba’s bringing his girlfriend home today! I’m so excited!”“Dunstan, relax. You’ll embarrass him!”“What are you talking about? I wont embarrass him! I’m down with the kids!”“... Right.”“I am!”“Ok, Ok, I believe you.”

“... Word.”“Word? Really?!”“You obviously don’t know what the hip and happening kids are into these days. They’re all “wicked” and “lolage”. Get with it C!”“Sure.”“Look, here, calm.” He held out his fist. “Do you mean safe?”“No, I’m definite it’s calm.”

The door opened. “Guys, I’m home!”Caractacus and Dunstan attempted to look nonchalant but failed miserably.

“This is my girlfriend Kimberley.”She smiled widely. “Hi! I’m so excited to meet a legacy family!” She walked further inside. “So, I think I need some introductions!”

“This is my dad, Caractacus.”“Hi there.”“Hi!” Kimberley squealed. “I love the purple, it really suits you.”“Oh, why thank you!”“Yeah, now we just need to get you a different style shirt. I think it was made for a younger man.”“... Off you go now!”“My other Dad Dunstan.”“Hi.” said Kimberley.“Wassup?”“... What?”“Wassup dog? I is sayin hello like innit bruv!”“... Right.”“Dunstan.” said Caractacus. “I don’t think-”“This is how young people speak Caractacus, not normally like us. Please, don’t embarrass Simba.”“Ugh...”

I can practically hear you screaming- I promise there will be no more Dunstan chav speak, it’s just embarrassing.

“My sister Zazu.”“Nice to meet you!” She shook Zazu’s hand. “We should totally meet up some time!”“... Umm, thank you!” Zazu privately thought spending a day listening to the Jonas Brothers preferable to this, but she would never say this.“Yeah, we could go shopping. Buy you and your dad some nicer clothes!”Zazu- *annoyed grunt*Caractacus- *annoyed grunt*“So you must be Timon!”“Yes. I don’t know who you are.”“I’m Kimberley. Are you having a nice day?” she said in a patronizing tone.“Yes. It’s been quite enjoyable.”“So, do you like dolls?”“No, I don’t see the attraction. I know that other girls like them though, even more than they like my stories about Crumple Horned Snorkacks.”“... Hahaha, that’s... Funny...” She looked scared.

“And finally my sister Shenzi!” Kimberley smiled widely and began “Hello the-” but realised who she was. Her eyes narrowed. “You’re that girl, from the audition.” Shenzi smiled nervously. “Oh yeah... Long time no see.” she said weakly.

Kimberley smiled widely, but her eyes flashed. “We’re gonna have so much fun together! Can I tell you a secret Shenzi?” Shenzi hesitated for a moment, before saying “Sure.” Kimberley leaned in and whispered into her ear. “Me and Simba have got a good thing going on here. Soon I’m going to be married into a legacy, immortalized forever- and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

She leaned back, and quickly plastered on her fake smile. “I can’t wait to share more secrets with you Shenzi!”“C’mon Kim, lets go listen to some music.”“Ok.” They left. “Well... What did you think of her?” said Caractacus. “Ummm...”“Errr...”“Well...”“I get what you mean,” said Caractacus. “But at least she seemed to take a shine to you, Shenzi.”“Yeah... Sure...”

“Gnomes, also known as Gernumbli gardensi , are magical creatures. Gnome saliva has great powers and a person who has had contact with it might exhibit unusual talents such as speaking Mermish or singing operas... This Xenophilius Lovegood man is so wise... He knows so much about everything!”“Timon, come blow out your candles!” called Dunstan.

The day had finally come that Timon was to grow up and become a teenager. WARNING: The following image is extremely bright and could burn your retinas. You have been warned.

BAM.I thought I’d finally dye her hair- it seemed cruel to stop someone so colourful go around with boring hair. Plus she has an ice cream around her neck- SQUEE!Anyway, due to lazy writers Timon will not be able to wear her crazy teen outfit for too long, because I want to ship them off to college soon. There’s just time to show her new best friend...

This is Timon’s kindred spirit- she’s bright, she’s colourful and her name is Pumbaa.Anywhoo, this chapter ends here. I hope you enjoyed it, and I’ll be back with more plots oh so soon (Hopefully). Bye!