AN-When I was finalizing this idea, I didn't have my computer so all my notes areon random post-it notes. I even spent a bunch of time watching Keralis becauseI don't watch him much so I hope he's in character :D I guess this is also aHigh School AU?

What are The Canterbury Tales?

This is a book writtenby Geoffrey Chaucer and has been made into a play. It is about a group ofpilgrims traveling together and to pass the time they tell each other stories.The main story I will be using is the Nun's Priest Tale about a fox (Reynard),a rooster (Chanticleer), and a hen (Pertelote). Chanticleer is fearful of beingattacked and when finally attacked by Reynard he runs but Reynard, the sly fox,convinces Chanticleer, through flattery, to return to the ground. Reynardattacks. The story often ends with Reynard being chased away by Pertelote butsome adaptations have Reynard winning.

Xisuma POV-

I tap my fingers nervously on the vanity counter as I watch Stress layer white face paint on her cheeks. It was opening night of the school's The Canterbury Tales and I was waiting for Stress to do my makeup. Stress, Keralis, Ren, and I were all a part of the same story. Stress was to play Pertelote the wife of Chanticleer, played by Keralis, and no... that didn't make me jealous. Ren played the Priest and that left me with Reynard the fox.

I didn't mind being the fox. It allowed me to completely cover my face with face paint and no one would be able to see the scars crossing my eye. I could usually cover them up with a pair of sunglasses or well place hat but I wasn't allowed any of those today. That's why I was waiting for Stress to do my makeup as she had seen me without the normal covering. I wanted it done before other cast members appeared. Her, Keralis and I had come into the theatre early due to the amount of work we had to do to appear like chickens and a fox.

Stress is humming lightly as she dabs some yellow paint to her nose and some red around her eyes. I don't think she'll be must longer at this point but then worst thing just had to happen. Keralis came skipping into the makeup closet we were in. He was painted white with the necessary accents as he had been working in the makeup closet around the hall from ours.

"Shishwammy! Stressy!" He stopped right in front of me as I awkwardly stood sideways, looking away, "Shishwammy? Are you alright?"

"Yep, yah." I muter slightly still trying to avoid looking at him, "just waiting to get my makeup done."

"I can do it!" I could hear the excitement in Keralis' voice and before I or Stress could even protest, I was being dragged across the hall to where Keralis had been working. He forces me into a chair and pushes it in front of a mirror. I'm still looking down while Keralis rummages through the makeup items for some orange face paint.

"Lookie Lookie at what I found!" he rushes towards me, holding a bottle of orange paint and a black eyeliner, "Let's get started! Others will be showing up soon and will need these rooms."

When I don't look up to allow him access to my face, he kneels down in front of me, "are you nervous for the play?" I shake my head, "what's wrong Shishwammy?"

I sigh, know there was no around it and look up, but I focus my gaze just above his head and in the mirror. I can clearly see the angry white scars cutting across my right eye and my nose, cross just below my eyebrow.

"Mmm... purdy."

I blink and notice that Keralis has begun to reach a hand towards my face. I just stare above him as he traces down the scars, forcing me to close my eyes.

"Look into my eyes Shishwammy."

I do as he requests and I see the lights shining in them. He smiles reassuringly and begins to apply the cold face paint to my forehead. The strokes of the brush are confident and I can help but feel comfortable with Keralis. It was making me fall for him more than I ever had.

He was just finishing up the orange paint on my neck as the other actors walked in and began changing into costumes or doing makeup. I watched through the door beside the mirror as False waltzed out of a change room with a ballgown. Ren showed up with a priest outfit. Grian and Mumbo wore matching traveling attire. A couple others were dressed as pirates.

"Shishwammy, I need you to close your eyes." Keralis had pulled out the eyeliner and once I did as he requested he made a large circle around each eye and worked on filling it in. He also added some black to my nose and cheeks as whiskers, "done. I think I like it."

"You think?" Keralis grins at me slyly and stood up to grab his rooster costume hung up behind the door. I stood to grab my fox costume and quickly slipped it over my black under clothes.

-Time Skip-

"Places everybody! Places!" Mrs. Cleo was calling the group of actors. We were all chatting quietly as the auditorium filled with people. We quickly scurried to our places. Those acting as pilgrims taking to the stage during a black out. I stood just beyond the curtain listening to the play begin. The Nun's Priest Tale was the first story and as Ren took to center stage, I watched Keralis step out into the light.

My cue came and I slunk into the back of the stage, behind the rooster. We acted out the story as Ren spoke, occasionally placing in the necessary line or spoken part. Keralis climbed a ladder to run away. I convince him to return to the ground and just as he does I lunge to grasp his collar, but of course I had to trip. Keralis and I end up on the ground trying not to laugh as the crowd roar in joy. We casually play it off as a part of the play and once Stress runs me off I retreat to the far end of the backstage. I burst out in laughter and other small giggles of embarrassment. I had totally tackled my crush to the floor in front of every parent and family of the actors.

I take a couple deep breaths, trying to quell the giggles escaping my painted lips. It doesn't help when Keralis walks into the same room I had retreated to and begins to laugh. I drop to my knees as I'm unable to even make sound any longer. Tears spill out of my eyes and Keralis is doubled over.

"That was the most hilarious thing that could have happened." I wheeze as I try to suck in air.

Keralis is on the ground next to me, nodding as tears stream down his eyes. He quickly unzips his rooster costume and removes it to be in his black tee-shirt and shorts. I begin to follow suit, I was getting hot anyway, but Keralis stops my hands before getting up to hang up the white outfit.

I look at his inquiringly as I finally catch my breath. If my face wasn't painted orange, I would be bright red. He turns to me, his body screaming confidence but his eyes holding another emotion, "I'm so glad I got to be your partner in this scene. It helped me get to you better."

I'm confused by his sudden serious attitude but I just nod, staring up at him. He comes closer, still standing above me as I stay seated on the ground, "I'm serious Shishwammy. I didn't notice it until our mess up. Bu- bu- but... I think I like it. No. You're my purdy fox and I love it."

He's seated literally in my lap at this point. He still portrays confidence but I see the love and adoration in his eyes. He gently reaches up to gently touch the spot that he knows my scars to be and tilts his head. I take no time before planting a kiss on his lips. They taste like paint and I'm sure mine do to but I don't care.

We kiss gently for a couple before pulling away. He has his arms thrown around my neck as I held him waist, carefully pulling him closer, glancing down at his lips, "you've got orange paint on your face now..."

Keralis just laughs lightly, "I guess I'll have to fix that. You'll have to cover the white on you."

I grin and lean in to kiss him again. He complies but pulls away after a moment, "that's enough for now little fox." He scoots off my lap and stands up, just after bopping my nose, "let's go fix our makeup before anyone notices."

Standing up, I follow, a stupid smile plastered on my face.