Sketches
Written by: kohee
Fandom: Disney; Princess and the Frog
Summary: A series of drabbles, and some bits and pieces here and there – may be before the movie, during the movie or after the movie.
Genre: A mixture of mumbo jumbo with some gumbo.
Disclaimer: Wants to own but own nothing except pocket lint.
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twelve: Set and Match
(Naveen x Tiana; post movie)
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Tiana surveyed the scene before her, a carpet of green, grassy lawn, painted with white lines and equally divided by a net, her forehead creasing slightly. She turned to her husband, who was grinning at her, looking all excited at reasons that she could not quite comprehend.
"And we're here because?"
Naveen tossed a little green ball from hand to hand, his expression pleased. "We are here, my princess, to have a little fun in the sun. You have been working too hard, and it is my duty as your beloved husband to help you relax, yes?"
Tiana picked up one of the two wooden rackets and peered at it, hitting her palm lightly against the strings. "And you think hitting a ball with these is a good way?"
Naveen took up the other racket and bounced the little green ball with it. "This, my darling, is tennis. I used to play this game many times with my father in Maldonia. Do believe me when I say it is a lot of fun."
She smiled, her dimple appearing, as natural as the sun. "If you say so."
"I will, of course, teach you how to play." He said, grandly. "I am very good, I have beaten my father, very often."
Tiana raised an eyebrow, swinging the racket in her hand, her stance a little awkward. "You're fond of bragging, aren't you?"
"No, but I am very fond of telling the truth." He said, as he moved to stand behind her, very close against her. "Besides, you have taught me how to mince and how to work, it is only fair that I teach you something in return, no?"
"I supposed it is." She answered, as his fingers skimmed across her hips, and her waist, before moving up to settle on top of her fingers, his touch firm. He moved her arms back, and then swung the racket forward.
"This is the motion you make to hit the ball, and from this angle, it is called a forehand. And..." he then moved her body to another angle, and adjusted her grip on the racket. "...if you hit it this way, it is called a backhand."
"And that is all there is to this game? Hitting the ball from the left and the right?" Tiana asked, experimentally swinging the racket as Naveen relaxed his grip.
"Oh, no. Of course not. There is a lot more tennis than just this. But I will teach you slowly." He pulled her against him again, hands sliding down her arms, his warm breath tickling her ear. "You will like this game, I promise."
She laughed, and allowed herself to relax in his arms for half a minute before slipping out of them. "I think I'll try hitting a ball, if you'll let me try."
Naveen looked at her, surprised and quizzical. "I assure you, that you will not be able to hit the ball. Why, I have barely begun teaching you, properly!"
Tiana gave him a light push, nudging him towards the other side of the court. "You can at least let me try! You have all the time in the world to teach me properly."
"If you insist." He picked up his racket, and walked to the other side of the court. "Now, you must stand at the other side, for that will be where I will serve the ball to."
She obediently moved to the side of the court diagonal to him, the cool evening breeze ruffling the few strands of hair loose from her ponytail.
"I will serve now, yes? Try your best to hit the ball." Naveen tossed the ball into the air, his arm languid and graceful, and his racket then made contact with the ball, sending it flying in a smooth arch over the net, towards Tiana.
Barely even blinking, Tiana took two steps to her right, drew her arm back, and brought it forward in a fluid movement. There was a resounding crack as she hit the ball, sending it back to the other side of the court with lighting speed, whizzing past a very shocked Prince of Maldonia, whose mouth was opened wide with great surprise.
Tiana laughed, and twirled the racket in her hand. "Well? Aren't you going to return that ball, Your Highness?"
"You...you...but...it is...but..." Naveen sputtered, stumbling over his words in a most unflattering manner. He cleared his throat, and regained his dignity, and glared across the net at his grinning wife.
"You did not tell me you could play!"
She shrugged, still smiling. "You never gave me a chance to. But I can play tennis. Lotte loved tennis as a little girl, and I was her companion, so Big Daddy paid for my lessons, too. I used to be pretty darn good."
"Used to be?" He jogged across the court, around the net, and to her side, pointing his racket at her accusingly.
"I haven't played in years." She admitted, as she picked up a tennis ball, and bounced it. "But I guess I can still remember how to play."
"Well." Naveen huffed. "You are a cheater."
Tiana smirked. "So do you still wanna play, or not?"
"Oho," he said. "Of course we will play. And I will not hold back."
"I won't expect you to." She returned cheerfully. "Love-fifteen, your serve."
"No, no." He protested. "That ball does not count. That was unfair because you cheated."
Tiana shook her head, laughing inwardly at the grumpy expression on Naveen's face. "Technically, I did not. But if it makes you feel better, love-all, then."
"Yes, that does make me feel better. Love-all is good, very good."
And he leaned close towards her, and smiled, knowingly, and very suggestive, as she rolled her eyes. But she kissed him anyway, and wooden rackets and little green balls were soon forgotten.
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981 words
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I blame Australian Open 2010, Roger Federer's Day 4/Round 2 match, and Prince William for the whacko-ness of this ficlet.
Also the reason I have not been writing as much as I would want to is also because of the darn Open. I have been attending the night matches and some day matches, and having a very fulfilling tennis-filled week. I saw notedly (Rafael) Nadal and (Roger) Federer live in their respective early round matches, amongst lots of other tennis players, including (Andy) Roddick whose practice session I managed to stalk (as with Federer) and whose autograph I managed to obtain. Yes, I am a tennis freak and Australian Open season has been eating my brain.
But anyway, I felt like writing as I was taking a break from live tennis (still glued to the TV though) and this was what that came out. I think it is original in a very weird sort of Twilight Zone way. I know tennis in the 1920s was a "high society rich people" sort of game, which was why I made the Lotte/Big Daddy reference. Tiana would not have known the game otherwise, perhaps. But that was my own take.
Reviews and comments, as always, are greatly appreciated, and again I thank all of you sincerely for the constant and heart-warming feedback. Thank you thank you thank you!