The Princess and the Plague Part 29 By Anistasia Allread Edited by Karen J & Edeyn A blur of movement came from the corner of her eye. Erika found herself falling as her feet were swept out from under her. She was about to roll to her side when she found a knee braced against her chest and a dark figure looming over her.

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"At least it stopped raining," Taylor told them, her breath visible in the lights against the night air.

That consolation did nothing to warm Erika's freezing fingers. The white gloves that they wore were more for decoration than they were for warmth. She joined a few of the girls over by the portable gas heater directed towards them to help keep them warm between cheers.

Erika squinted through the lights up into the stands looking for her friends. She saw Tricia's hand wave down at her.

Julian, when the two had approached him at lunch was a bit hesitant at first, but with strokes of his male ego along with some comments about being 'hot enough' to take two girls, he agreed to take them both as dates.

"In a way I'm glad it's cold," Krystal told Erika. "When it gets this cold, it's too dangerous for the cheer squad to do much tumbling. It makes my job a little easier."

"We need the practice though," was Jorge's reply, his arms wrapped around her to help keep her warm.

"I just don't want to cramp up, or worse get hurt," Krystal stated. "I've worked too hard to get into shape, I'd hate to relapse now."

"You look good in any shape," Jorge grinned.

Krystal rolled her eyes as Erika suppressed a giggle.
 

--o0o--
 
Erika woke up with her alarm and sighed. It was Sunday and she was supposed to go to church with her mother. She swung out of bed and padded into the bathroom and into a hot shower.

After waking up, Erika changed into a pair of jeans and a nice top. She pulled her hair into a ponytail and put on some makeup before going downstairs.

"Morning," she greeted her mother.

"You're going to change, right?" she was instantly asked.

"I wasn't planning to."

"We're going to church, not a school function," her mother told her through gritted teeth.

"It's just church."

"Women dress in their Sunday best for God."

Erika rolled her eyes, "Whatever," she whispered to herself.

"You have half an hour before we have to go."

Erika stomped back upstairs rolling her eyes and muttering, "There's nothing wrong with this top. My jeans are clean. What's her problem?”

"And no ponytail," her mother called after her.

"What's going on?" her father asked, coming out of his bedroom.

"Mom doesn't like my outfit," Erika grumbled.

"You're supposed to be going to church, right?"

"Yes," she sighed.

"Then your mother is correct. You need to wear something nice."

"I don't see what is wrong with this outfit. It's a nice top."

"Would you wear that if you were going out to dinner with Tricia's family?" Mr. Martin asked.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Cuz."

"Because it doesn't show respect to your hosts," Mr. Martin smiled, "You treat church with the same respect. You show your respect to God by wearing your nice clothes."

"Fine," but Erika's voice had lost it's edge.

She closed her bedroom door, pulled the elastic out of her hair and looked through her closet. Erika pulled a dress out and took it into the bathroom, grabbing a pair of nylons out of her drawer. She slipped out of her jeans and blouse and began the process of sheathing her legs in the glorious silkiness of pantyhose. She practically sighed with ecstasy as she felt the nylons encase her legs.

Shit is that wrong? She asked herself. Is it wrong to feel this way when putting on girls clothes? It only seems to be this one item though. Did other girls feel this way when putting on clothes?

"I'll have to ask Dr. Barts," She muttered aloud.

Erika stepped into her dress and slid her arms through the sleeves before reaching behind her to zip it up. She quickly put some large curls into her hair with her large curling iron and touched up her makeup a bit more, adding blush and a bit more eye-shadow.

"Shoes," she said to the empty room, "What shoes should I wear?"

She glanced through the shoes that she had and then pulled out the heels she bought to go along with her Homecoming dress.

Erika stood before he mirror and studied her reflection in the mirror. How could this be the depressed moping boy that stood before this very mirror less than six months ago? She asked herself. She couldn't see ANY of Eric left in the mirror at all. Earrings, I'm missing earrings. She rummaged through the small box of earrings on her counter and slipped some medium sized hoops through her ears.

Erika smiled at her reflection and then slowly, unsteadily made her way out of her room. She had to concentrate on her balance and foot placement as she negotiated the stairs.

"That's much better," Her mother in approval as she came out of the kitchen and grabbed her purse.

"Are these shoes alright with this?" Erika asked.

"Yes, they look nice," Mrs. Martin nodded.

"I didn't know if I should wear them before the dance or not."

"I think it is a good idea, so that you can break them in a little," her mother agreed, "Lets go."
 

--o0o--
 
Erika didn't know what to do with her hands. Part of her brain was telling her to hold her arms out at the sides so that she could more easily balance in the heels. Another part of her brain told her to act demure and lightly hold her hands in front of her. Part of her brain screamed for her to hug her arms around herself in a defensive self-protective stance -- but protect her against what? God?

An elderly man in a navy blue suit and conservative tie that looked to be ten years old smiled and greeted them with a welcome as he opened the door for them. Just inside, two young boys dressed in khaki pants and polo shirts raced after one another. A little girl in a pretty dress stood off to one side stifling back tears as her mother attempted to fix her pigtails.

Erika's mother led her into the building and approached two large wooden doors which had been opened wide. The sound of a hundred voices speaking in hushed tones engulfed her as well as the scent of wood polish and the mustiness of an old building.

Rows upon rows of wooden pews stood sentinel along a wide aisle that led to a raised dais and altar. A large wooden cross occupied the wall over the altar. Tall Gothic windows set with colored glass allowed the sunlight in, but bathed the sanctuary and it's occupants in a mosaic of color.

Erika followed her mother up the aisle and found seats on the padded pews. Organ music filled the open chamber, drowning out the voices of the congregation. Women in dresses and men in suits or just shirt and tie smiled and excused themselves to find their seats.

"Is someone sitting there?" a voice asked.

Erika looked up to see a woman with her family looking expectantly at the open bench beside them.

"No, please join us," Mrs. Martin smiled.

"Thank you. I'm Evie, and this is my family,"She greeted as she began to slide past Erika and her mother, "This is my husband, Roger..."

"Pleased to meet you," Roger said smiling at them both.

"... my son, Evan, and my daughters, Allie and Annie."

Evan looking a bit preoccupied, smiled as he moved past them. One arm was in a cast full of graffiti, signatures and doodles, the other held a notebook and pen.

"Hi," he smiled as he moved past and took a seat.

"Hi, I'm Allie," The pretty girl with loose scarlet hair pulled back from her face, looked Erika up and down as if in appraisal. Erika felt her cheeks heat.

"Hi there, I'm Annie," an almost-duplicate of Allie put out her hand and greeted. The two girls were obviously sisters, most likely twins. Where Allie wore a simple but nice skirt and green blouse, Annie wore a nice floral dress and wore her hair up in an elegant French twist.

The two girls slid past them and took a seat next to them.

"Are you new here?" Annie asked.

Erika nodded, "My mom's making me come. You?"

"We recently moved here. I haven't seen you around, what school do you go to?"

"Washington. You?" Erika asked.

"Adams."

Before much else could be said, the service began with the choir singing out beautiful praises to God. The voices were enchanting as they reverberated off the walls and surrounded everyone. The priests and altar boys entered through the back of the church carrying a cross, a large ornate book and a smoking incense burner.

Erika half-listened to the sermon as she gazed around the ornate décor of the church.

Annie leaned close to Erika, "Pretty, isn't it?"

Erika nodded.

"Ever wonder what God must think of all of these trappings and façades?" She asked.

Again, Erika nodded.

There was something about this redhead that Erika liked. She couldn't put her finger on it. She seemed sincere, and honest, but there was a lot more that lay behind those pretty eyes and perfect hair.

Erika felt a hand on her leg. She looked up to see her mother looking at her knees. Erika looked at her mother questioning.

Her mother leaned her mouth close to her ear, "Close your legs, dear. Ladies don't sit like guys straddling bar stools."

Erika turned pink but pushed her knees together. Gawd how embarrassing. Here she was trying to show her mother how ladylike she could be and her mother catches her doing something like that.

Erika hadn't realized how much moving she would be doing during a church service. Sitting, standing, kneeling, sitting, standing again. Kneeling again. It was almost a work out. More of a mental work out as she struggled to remember to be ladylike at all times. She didn't want her mother to correct her posture again. It was embarrassing enough the first time.

Finally the organ music swelled as did the voices of those in attendance as the service came to a close.

"Well, what did you think?" Annie asked.

"It was okay, I guess," Erika shrugged.

"It was nice sitting with you," Annie smiled. "I hope we can sit with you next week."

"I enjoyed it too," Erika nodded.

"Doesn't our school play yours next week?" Annie asked.

"I think so," Erika tried to remember the schedule, "It's our Homecoming game."

"Oh, what fun! Do you go to the games?" Annie asked.

"Yes. I kind of have too. I'm on the Rally squad," Erika explained.

"Allie and I are cheerleaders at Adams," Annie smiled with delight.

"That's awesome," Allie agreed, "We'll see you at the game next week."

Erika nodded as the twins and their family started sliding past.

"Bye, Erika," Annie waved.

"Bye," Erika smiled back.

"New friends already?" Erika's mom asked.

"Maybe," Erika said noncommittally.

Erika and her mother joined the mob of people as they filed out of the church and into the cold air. A crisp breeze whipped around her nearly naked legs, grabbing at the skirt of her dress.

"It's really starting to get cold," Mrs. Martin noticed.

The two got into the car and waited patiently as the mass exodus of autos vied politely for the next opening in traffic.

"So did you learn anything?" Erika's mother asked.

"About what?"

"About God and religion."

"Not really, "Erika admitted, "I was a bit preoccupied."

"Oh?"

"Trying not to embarrass you and admiring the church."

"It is a nice church isn't it."

Erika nodded.

"Aren't you glad I made you change into a dress?" Mrs. Martin asked.

"Yes," Erika admitted, "Although it is getting pretty cold out can't I wear a nice pair of pants when it gets colder?"

"We'll see."
 

--o0o--
 
"What are you doing here?" Erika asked.

"I'm here to take you to your self defense class," Mrs. Martin explained.

"Today?" Erika queried.

"Every Tuesday," she nodded, "Your father and I agree that they are especially important now that you're going to be living as Erika."

"But I was hoping to get some stuff done," Erika protested.

"What stuff?"

"I was hoping to go shopping. Dad gave me some money to get some stuff."

"You're still grounded until Friday."

"Fine," she huffed.

Mrs. Martin drove the car into an old industrial park. Most of the buildings were built of old brick. Old windows placed up high where clouded by dust or frosted glass.

"Okay, here we are. I'll be back in about an hour to pick you up."

"You're not staying?"

"I have to run a couple of errands."

"But..."

"But what?"

"Nothing," Erika got out of the car and headed towards the metal door with a window set in it.

Erika's mom waved as she drove off. Erika stopped before the door. She could always go somewhere else for the next hour. Avoid mock battles with a musclebound, sweaty guy who probably had posters of Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris in his office or bedroom or something.

Who would ever know? Wait. Her father said that this guy was a friend. It would get back to him within a day. Erika's shoulders hunched as she reached for the door.

She stepped inside to find an open room with mats on the floor. Punching bags hung from chains. One wall had several large mirrors lining it.

"Hello?" Erika called out, "Anyone here?"

"Are you Martin's kid?" a voice asked.

"Yes, I'm Erika," she looked around not seeing where the voice was coming from.

"Erika? I thought John Martin had a son."

"I'm his daughter, Erika," her heart skipped a beat as she said this. The voice was closer, yet she still couldn't see the person.

A blur of movement came from the corner of her eye. Erika found herself falling to the mat as her feet were swept out from under her. She was about to roll to her side when she found a knee braced against her chest and a dark figure looming over her.

"Looks like we have a lot to work on," the voice said, "Sorry, I hope you aren't hurt."

"What the fuck!" Erika shrieked.

"I was testing to see if you had any training," the dark skinned man smiled down at her, "You don't."

He rolled off of her and was to his feet before Erika could even think to sit up, "I'm Lawrence," He offered a hand.

Erika took it uncertainly and he easily pulled her up. She regained her equilibrium and looked at Lawrence. He was a short man of African-American descent. His warm smile lit up a face that sported a broken nose and several scars.

"Should I change into work out clothes?" Erika asked.

"No. You'll be training in whatever clothes you wear for the day. I teach street fighting as part of self defense. I want you to be comfortable defending yourself in a dress and heels as well as jeans and runners. Just make sure that your dress or skirt is one that you don't mind getting abused."

"Okay," Erika stated hesitantly.

"How many weapons do you have on you today?" Lawrence asked.

"Weapons? None."

"What's in you pockets?"

"Some money, my cell phone and my house keys."

"So you do have weapons," he nodded.

"Huh?" Erika didn't understand.

"If you are being mugged, you can throw your money on the ground. Muggers will go after it and leave you be," he explained, "Your cell phone can be thrown, either slowing your attacker down, or actually doing a bit of damage. As for your keys, they can be used in several ways. May I?" he asked holding out his hand.

Erika dropped her keys into his hand.

"Hold them like this and you can punch causing some pain. Like this and you can gouge out his eyes. Like this and you have just added steel support to your punch as well as a little extra weight," he demonstrated, "Don't forget your shoes, your purse, belt and your brains."

"My brains?" Erika questioned.

"Your brains are your most powerful weapon. With it you can turn almost anything around you into a weapon."

Erika nodded with understanding.

"Now, lets learn some quick defensive moves and take downs," Lawrence handed her keys back to her.

The rest of the hour was spent learning how to use one's center of gravity and another's momentum and or weight against them. Pressure points, vulnerable areas and the like were also shown. First in slow motion, and eventually brought up to speed.

"I know it's kind of hard to practice these at home, especially when you don't want to hurt a friend, so practice only in slow motion and work on your body position and center of gravity," Lawrence advised her as he called an end to the session.

"Thanks, Lawrence," Erika smiled.

"See you next week." he nodded.

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To Be Continued...